Chris Beason Taffner v. State of Arkansas

Summary

The court affirmed Taffner's convictions and rulings denying his directed-verdict motions and motion for a new trial, and held that excluding Zovak's reputation testimony was error but nonprejudicial. It held that the circuit court was required to review the DHS file in camera to determine whether it contained material information and remanded for that limited proceeding; it rejected Taffner's remaining confrontation and juror-misconduct claims on the record before it. Justice Baker, dissenting, would have affirmed without remand, while Justice Hart would have ordered a new trial based on the DHS file, cross-examination restrictions, Zovak's testimony, and juror misconduct; Justice Wynne, concurring in part and dissenting in part, would have ordered a new trial based on the limits placed on cross-examination.