State of New Jersey, Plaintiff-Appellant and Cross-Respondent v. Jack Labrutto, Defendant-Respondent and…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that a state trooper who is not a certified accident‑reconstruction expert may give lay opinion testimony on the point of impact of a motor‑vehicle collision under Evid.R.56(1). It affirmed the trial court’s refusal to give the defendant’s requested supplemental jury instructions, upheld the admission of the State’s rebuttal expert, and found no error in denying the defendant’s motions for acquittal, mistrial, and a new trial. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Appellate Division’s judgment and reinstated the conviction.