SEARCH

Sandlin v. State

The social worker's typed statement based on her interview with the 2-month-old victim's mother 14 years after the murder was not admissible under any exception to the hearsay rule.

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

A jury convicted Jan Barry Sandlin of felony murder in the death of four-month-old Matt Golder.1 Sandlin appeals, contending that the trial court erred in excluding a statement Matt’s mother made to a social worker fourteen years after the death. Because the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the statement, we affirm.

The evidence at trial showed that when the crime occurred in 1971, Sandlin lived with Kathie Almon, Matt’s mother, and Tracy Golder, Sandlin and Almon’s two-year-old daughter. One day Kathie and Tracy went out to do errands and left Sandlin alone with Matt. Kathie testified that when she returned home, she brought Tracy into the living room and asked Sandlin to watch her. She then tried to check on Matt, but Sandlin told her to get the laundry first. After Kathie brought the laundry in, Tracy was not in the living room; Kathie found Tracy in Matt’s crib with Matt on the floor. Kathie rushed Matt to the hospital, but he died later that day. Medical experts testified that the severity of Matt’s injuries was not consistent with a simple fall from a crib and that a two-year old child would not be physically capable of lifting a four-month old baby out of a crib to throw him on the floor. The state also presented evidence that Sandlin had mistreated Matt previously. The defense contended that the death was an accident caused by Tracy throwing Matt out of the crib.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

Southeastern Legal Awards 2025

May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.

Learn More

Complex Claims & Litigation Forum 2025

February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.

Learn More

Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2025

March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.

Learn More

Title: Legal Counsel Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time Supervisory Responsibility: N/A Location: Remo...

Apply Now ›

Associate Position

Blume Forte Fried Zerres and Molinari 1 Main Street Chatham, NJ 07945Prominent Morris County Law Firm with a state-wide personal injury prac...

Apply Now ›

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY DEFENSE LITIGATION

d Arcambal Ousley & Cuyler Burk, LLP, a well-established women-owned litigation firm, has an opening in our Parsippany, NJ office. We of...

Apply Now ›