State v. Coleman
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
- Decided
- Citation
- 322 Neb. 731 (2026), No. S-25-759
What did the court decide?
The court held that a trial judge did not abuse its discretion by admitting a DNA report made with STRmix software, a probabilistic genotyping program. The report said the DNA on shell casings was at least 28 times more likely, and the DNA on a gun magazine and bullets at least 8,000 times more likely, to include the defendant than not. The court said low likelihood ratios are not a reason to exclude DNA evidence when they still support inclusion. Because the analyst explained the statistics, the jury could decide how much weight to give them, so the evidence was relevant and not unfairly prejudicial. The convictions and sentences were affirmed.
Why does it matter?
A "likelihood ratio" is the number DNA software gives for how strongly the DNA supports one explanation over another. This ruling shows that in Nebraska, attacking a low number usually goes to how much weight the jury gives the evidence, not to keeping it out. That makes cross-examination important: here the defense used it to compare the defendant's low ratios with a ratio in the billions for other people. This challenge was based on relevance and unfair prejudice (Neb. Rev. Stat. 27-403), not a full Daubert reliability challenge to STRmix itself.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library (advance sheet, full opinion) →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.