Supreme Court of New Hampshire

The State of New Hampshire v. Jessica Kelley

December 4, 2009159 N.H. 449

Summary

The court affirmed the defendant’s DWI conviction, holding that the improper admission of horizontal gaze nystagmus evidence was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt because overwhelming independent evidence established impairment. It also held that the remaining evidence was sufficient to support conviction and clarified that non-chemical observations may constitute direct evidence of impairment, overruling contrary reasoning to that extent. A further issue was deemed waived because it was not briefed.