State v. Thomas L. Scott (A-86-15

State v. Thomas L. Scott (A-86-15; 077434)

          The evidence proffered by the State goes far afield of a
          proper bias inquiry.  The evidence is inadmissible under
          the dictates of New Jersey Rules of Evidence 403 and
          608, which govern admissibility of prior bad acts and
          character evidence for truthfulness.  That error
          prevented defendant from fully developing his defense at
          trial and deprived the jury of key witness testimony.
          Exclusion of testimony central to a defendant’s claim or
          defense, if otherwise admissible, cannot be held to be
          harmless error.