In the battle of the experts, prosecutors generally have a built-in advantage. They can develop their cases with the testimony of state medical examiners, hospital lab technicians, policemen and the like. But defendants must find and pay each eminent doctor, college professor, and surgeon who testifies on their behalf. Still, the quality of the expert hired can sway a jury. Jurors don't always simply discard the testimony of dueling experts, Mr. Moran argues.
Confusion can help the defense.
If the defense experts in the Woodward trial have been effective, much of the credit goes to Barry Scheck. Best known for his work on the O.J. SImpson defense team, Mr. Scheck, a New York law professor may be the nation's preeminent techno-lawyer. His specialty is turning complex medical jargon into standard English. He has this incredible memory for details. In the courtroom, Scheck uses gestures to help translate anatomical jargon into identifiable body parts.