Williams v. Illinois — Kagan, J., dissenting

Summary

Justice Kagan argues that the Confrontation Clause requires defendants to cross-examine forensic analysts who generate reports used as evidence, regardless of whether an expert cites them as a basis for opinion. She contends the Court's decision in Melendez-Diaz and Bullcoming established clear rules that the plurality's ruling circumvents. Justice Scalia, Justice Ginsburg, and Justice Sotomayor join this dissenting opinion. Separate concurrences were filed by Justice Thomas, who objects to the plurality's reliance on state evidence rules, and Justice Breyer, who questions the practical implications of requiring multiple laboratory technicians to testify.