Skip to content

Ferrell v. Commonwealth, 14 S.E.2d 293 (Va. 1941)

Case (cite)
Ferrell v. Commonwealth, 14 S.E.2d 293 (Va. 1941)
Year
1941
State
Virginia
Type of proceeding
Appellate
Type of claim
Evidentiary
Type of claim (second claim)
Expert evidence ruling reversing or affirming on appeal:
Admitted
What was the ruling?
Correct to Admit
Type of evidence at issue:
Firearms identification
Defense or Prosecution Expert
Prosecution
Name of expert(s) who were the subject of the ruling
FBI expert (doesn't name)
Summary of reasons for ruling
The court held that the expert opinion was properly admitted despite not performing any tests in front of the jury because it is within the trial court's discretion whether the witness must perform those tests before the jury. "In the instant case, a prosecution for homicide, an expert of the Federal Bureau of Investigation expressed an opinion that a shotgun shell found near decedent's house was fired from a gun belonging to accused. The admission of this testimony was assigned as error, because the witness was not required to make tests before the jury showing how he arrived at his conclusion. Held: That there was no merit in the assignment of error, since to require such tests was largely a matter within the discretion of the trial court and whether the witness should have been required to bring with him the paraphernalia of his office, cameras, microscopes, etc., was a matter for the court."
The jurisdiction’s standard for expert admissibility at the time – list all that apply: (Frye), (Daubert), (Post-2000 Rule 702), (Other)
Other
Second standard
Did lower court hold a hearing
Names of prosecution expert(s) two testified at hearing
Names of defense expert(s) who testified at hearing (or None).
Discussion of 2009 NAS Report (NAS2009)
Discussion of 2016 PCAST report (PCAST)
Discussion of error rates / reliability
N
Frye Ruling
N
Limiting testimony ruling
Language imposed by court to limit testimony
Ruling based in prior precedent / judicial notice
N
Daubert ruling emphasizing – which factors – (list 1-5)
Ruling on qualifications of expert
N
Ruling on 702(a) – the expert will help / assist the jury
N
Ruling on 702(b) – the testimony is based on sufficient facts or data
N
Ruling on 702(c) – the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods
N
Ruling on 702(d) – reliable application of principles and methods to the facts of the case
N

Notes