Can Too Much Clarity Cause Confusion? A Case Study of \u3ci\u3eMcCalop v. State\u3c/i\u3e

Abstract

In criminal trials, few elements wield as much influence over the outcome as expert testimony. Expert testimony serves as the bridge between complex subject matter and the understanding of lay jurors, often occupying a pivotal position in the pursuit of justice. Indeed, expert testimony can be the lynchpin on which a jury’s verdict turns. Picture a courtroom filled with jurors, each presumed to lack a deep understanding of the intricate dynamics of domestic abuse and the profound effects of battered person syndrome on individuals trapped in violent relationships. In pursuit of justice, these jurors lean on a singular source—an expert with years of invaluable experience—to untangle complex concepts, enabling them to digest the evidence presented by both sides and make a well-informed decision to render a fair verdict