Henry Harmon, Appellant v. State of Arkansas, Appellee

Summary

The court held that the circuit court abused its discretion by excluding DNA evidence showing that multiple individuals contributed DNA to clothing linked to the charged crimes. The evidence was relevant to challenge the State’s DNA evidence and to corroborate Harmon’s defense that a specific third party had used his vehicle, and it was not unduly confusing or misleading. The judgment was reversed, the case was remanded, and the court of appeals’ opinion was vacated. Justice Danielson, joined by Chief Justice Hannah and Justice Corbin, dissented because he would have found no direct connection between the unknown DNA contributor and the crimes.