STATE OF NEW JERSEY VS. STEVEN R. FORTIN (95-09-1197, MIDDLESEX COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (RECORD IMPOUNDED) (A-5929-17T2)
Defendant Steven R. Fortin, whom juries twice convicted of a brutal 1994 sexual assault and murder, appeals from the denial of his motion for a new trial based on newly discovered scientific evidence that casts doubt on the reliability and scientific validity of bitemark identification. After a review of the change in this forensic area since defendant's most recent murder conviction in 2007, and in light of defendant's conviction for a subsequent brutal sexual attack involving similar bitemarks and the 2007 trial testimony questioning expert bitemark testimony, the court affirms.
Defendant Steven R. Fortin, whom juries twice convicted of a brutal 1994 sexual assault and murder, appeals from the denial of his motion for a new trial based on newly discovered scientific evidence that casts doubt on the reliability and scientific validity of bitemark identification. After a review of the change in this forensic area since defendant's most recent murder conviction in 2007, and in light of defendant's conviction for a subsequent brutal sexual attack involving similar bitemarks and the 2007 trial testimony questioning expert bitemark testimony, the court affirms.
