State v. Cary

250 A.2d 15, 53 N.J. 256, 1969 N.J. LEXIS 247

• Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
• Decided: February 6, 1969
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the court was delivered

Per Curiam.

This case is before us for the second time. In State v. Cary, 49 N. J. 343 (1967), we approved an order of the trial court compelling the defendant, who had been indicted for murder, to submit to a voice recording for the purpose of “voiceprint identification,” provided that on remand the voiceprint technique and equipment first be shown to be sufficiently accurate to produce results admissible as evidence. The police possessed a tape recording of a male voice telephoning the police station with information about the crime. After hearing, the trial judge concluded that “any identification opinion resulting [from a comparison of the tape to defendant’s voiceprint] would not, as of this time, be admissible as evidence in this case.” State v. Cary, 99 N. J. Super. 323, 334 (Law Div. 1968).

At the argument on this appeal the State requested that the case be remanded for further expert testimony. We think that the interests of justice require that as complete a record as possible be compiled before a decision is made concerning the admissibility of such a new technique in the detection of crime. Cf. Jackson v. Muhlenberg Hospital, 53 N. J. 138 (1969). In light of the far-reaching implications of admission of voiceprint evidence, and in consideration of the fact that defendant is presently free on bail and has not suggested that he would be prejudiced by the delay, we remand to the trial court for further testimony.

The defendant may at his request, within reasonable limits, have at the State’s expense additional experts appointed to act on his behalf.

Remanded.

For remandment — Justices Jacobs, Fraiícis, Proctor, Hall, Schettino and Hanemjust — 6.

Opposed — None.