The People of the State of Colorado v. Justine Lynn Murphy

Summary

The court held that a police officer's testimony interpreting a juvenile witness's body language was admissible lay opinion because it was based on ordinary perceptions and rational inferences rather than specialized knowledge. The officer's reference to his training and experience did not transform the testimony into expert opinion, and his testimony about the witness's response was permissible context for explaining his interview tactics rather than an impermissible credibility opinion. The court reversed the court of appeals' judgment and remanded for further proceedings.