State v. Dowdle

The defendant, Eileen Dowdle, was convicted by a jury of one count each of arson, see RSA 634:1 (1996) (amended 1998), insurance fraud, see RSA 638:20 (1996) (amended 1996, 2001), and reckless conduct, see RSA 631:3 (1996). On appeal, she argues that the Superior Court (Hampsey, J.) erred by: 1) admitting forensic evidence that the State failed to preserve for trial; and 2) failing to grant a mistrial or give sufficient curative instructions. We reverse and remand.

*346The charges arose from the allegation that the defendant intentionally set fire to her house in Nashua. The cornerstone of the…