11/08/10 (CT): Expert's Testimony Played Back To Death Penalty Jury Jurors deciding whether convicted triple-murderer Steven Hayes should be executed or spend the rest of his life in prison for the July 2007 home-invasion killings did not reach a verdict after spending much of the weekend in a courthouse deliberation room. However, after further deliberation, which included the playing back of an expert's cross-examination they eventually decided on the death penalty.

11/03/10 (IL): Illinois To Codify Rules of Evidence After relying on common law evidence and random statutory enactments, Illinois has now codified its rules of evidence, effective January 1, 2011. The Illinois Rules of Evidence are the product of the Special Supreme Court Committee for Illinois Evidence Committee, convened by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2008. Click on the link for a useful online guide.

11/03/10 (Web): The Trial That Wasn't: The Sentencing of Omar Khadr The Guantanamo trial and sentencing of a 15 year old youth to 48 years' imprisonment has raised some serious questions. The link takes you to an interesting, and some might say shocking online article on the Human Rights Watch site.

11/02/10 (CO): The Lesson? Ask Your Expert The Key Question The star expert witness the defense was counting on to make its case that accused murderer John C. Curtis, Jr., was overcome by the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) he suffered when he shot and killed Toby Jump April 4, 2009 was actually never asked the effect his PTSD had on his thought processes and actions.

10/30/10 (IA): What Civil Judges Want You To Know We came upon this blog the other day and although relating to the Iowa Bar it has some useful tips for all civil practitioners - and there's something for experts too. With thanks to Cedar Rapids attorney and blogger, Jason Steffens (pictured). Click on the link.

10/30/10 (Web): Jury System Reform in Personal Injury Cases Continuing the Civil Justice theme, another interesting online piece, and again relevant to both attorneys and experts. Click on the link.

10/28/10 (LA): Experts Testify In Taser Death Case The defense team in the manslaughter trial of former Police Officer Scott Nugent has called its first two expert witnesses in an attempt to convince the jury that Nugent was not responsible for the death of Barron "Scooter" Pikes.