Hansley v. Delaware

Defendant-Appellant Nicole Hansley was convicted by jury of Tier 4 Drug Dealing, Tier 5 Aggravated Possession, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She raised two issues on appeal, one of which was conceded by the State. Hansley’s remaining claim was that the trial court erred by precluding Hansley from introducing relevant testimony of a former police officer that Hansley was a prostitute addicted to crack cocaine, thereby violating Hansley’s constitutional right to present a defense. Upon review, the Delaware Supreme Court found that the trial court erred by excluding relevant testimony in violation of the Delaware Rules of Evidence. Accordingly, the Court reversed. The Court did not reach Hansley’s constitutional argument. View "Hansley v. Delaware" on Justia Law