Coleman v. State
Annotate this CaseAppellant was convicted of first-degree murder by child abuse following the death of an infant, Tristen Hilburn. Tristen was the victim of multiple injuries. Appellant argued that the injuries were inflicted by Crystal Gaynor, Tristen’s mother, or others associated with her, and that Appellant was innocent. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction, holding that the district court, in applying Nev. Rev. Stat. 51.345, the statement-against-interest exception to the hearsay bar, abused its discretion by refusing to permit two defense witnesses to testify about admissions made by Gaynor concerning a methamphetamine explosion and resulting burns to Tristen’s body.
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