Document Type
Case Summary
Publication Date
Spring 4-30-2023
Case Synopsis
To determine whether remote testimony by way of video-conferencing satisfies a defendant's constitutional right to confrontation, a district court must find that (1) permitting a witness to testify remotely is necessary to further a compelling public policy interest, and (2) the testimony is otherwise reliable. In this case, the Nevada Supreme Court held that although efforts to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus may constitute a compelling public policy interest, a district court must make specific findings as to why permitting a particular witness to testify remotely furthers this interest. Here, the district court erred in not requiring such findings of necessity before allowing two witnesses to testify remotely at appellant’s murder trial. However, because the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, the judgment of conviction was affirmed.
Recommended Citation
Marchello, Jordan, "Vernon Newson, Jr., v. The State of Nevada, 139 Nev. Adv. Op. 9 (Mar. 30, 2023)" (2023). Nevada Supreme Court Summaries. 1565.
https://scholars.law.unlv.edu/nvscs/1565