Main/Obi-Wan Kenobi on the lastest Confrontation Clause Cert Grant

I have previously referred to Professor Richard Friedman as the Obi-Wan Kenobi to Jeff Fisher's Luke Skywalker. He is also the author of The Confrontation Blog. He has a [http://confrontationright.blogspot.com/2011/07/initial-thoughts-on-williams.html new blog post] on [http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/williams-v-illinois/ ''Williams v. Illinois''], the latest confrontation clause cert grant from SCOTUS.

His post is exceptionally valuable, touching on a number of aspects to the Confrontation Clause - such as the "not for the truth" exception - that are not obvious. But like all great professors, he writes with exceptional clarity on a difficult topic.

The issue presented in ''Williams'', according to SCOTUSblog is:

<blockquote>

''Whether a state rule of evidence allowing an expert witness to testify about the results of DNA testing performed by non-testifying analysts violates the Confrontation Clause, when the defendant has no opportunity to confront the actual analysts.''

</blockquote>

That's the question in a nutshell, but as Hamlet observed, and Richard Friedman demonstrates, you can be trapped in a nutshell and still count yourself a king of infinite space. Scene ii.

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You can learn more about Ryan Scott [http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/97214-or-ryan-scott-1498937.html here].
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