Court Decision Upholding Expert Witness Testimony in a Major Victory for Survivors

July 17, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected] 

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence commends the New Hampshire Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in State v. Matthew Raymond, which upholds the use of expert testimony to explain the complex ways that victims respond to domestic violence and trauma. 

In the case, Matthew Raymond was convicted of several serious offenses, including second-degree assault (strangulation), false imprisonment, and domestic violence-related simple assault. On appeal, Raymond challenged the admissibility of expert testimony provided by Dr. Scott Hampton, a clinical psychologist with national expertise in intimate partner violence. The Supreme Court decisively upheld the testimony, affirming that general expert education on victim behavior is not only appropriate but essential to helping juries understand trauma responses, such as delayed reporting, recantation, or ongoing contact with an abuser.

“Expert witnesses play a vital role in domestic and sexual violence cases,” said Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Affairs at the Coalition. "They help jurors understand what trauma really looks like—not just in theory, but in the lived experiences of survivors. Many people expect victims to behave in a certain way, but trauma doesn't follow a script and the brain's survival systems can override rational thought. For example, trauma can cause someone to freeze or shut down and make it hard to recount what happened in a linear fashion. This ruling ensures that survivors won't be discredited just because their response to abuse doesn't match a common stereotype."

The Court confirmed that experts can offer general insights grounded in professional experience, even if they are not offering opinions about the specific victim in the case. This decision will have far-reaching impacts in both domestic and sexual violence prosecutions, helping ensure that verdicts are based on a deeper understanding of abuse dynamics rather than misconceptions or myths.

The Coalition extends its sincere thanks to Assistant Attorney General Sam Gonyea and the entire appellate team at the New Hampshire Department of Justice for their dedication to advancing justice for victims of crime.

A copy of the Supreme Court’s full opinion can be found at: https://www.courts.nh.gov/our-courts/supreme-court​.