State of Maine v. Michael T. Smith

Summary

The court affirmed Smith’s convictions, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to sever the charges involving his two victims or by qualifying a forensic interviewer as an expert on delayed disclosure of child sexual abuse. The charges were sufficiently connected, the evidence likely would have been admissible in separate trials, and clear jury instructions mitigated potential prejudice. The expert was qualified through her education, training, experience, and familiarity with relevant research. No separate opinions were filed.