State v. Sanchez-Alfonso

In this criminal case, we consider whether a physician’s conclusion that defendant physically had abused a child met the requirements for admissibility of scientific evidence. We hold that it did not, that the trial court erred in admitting the evidence, and that the error was not harmless. Consequently, we reverse defendant’s convictions and remand for further proceedings.

The child in this case, C, was approximately 18 months old when he arrived at the emergency room with multiple injuries, including a golf-ball-sized lump on his forehead and a fractured skull. The state accused defendant of…