State v. Williams, 877 A.2d 1258 (N.J. 2005)

James Coben, Hamline University

Play time: 1:23 minutes

Affirming assertion of mediation privilege to prevent mediator's testimony sought to support self-defense claim in assault case because state interest in protecting mediation confidentiality was not outweighed by defendant's need for the evidence where: 1) the mediator's testimony lacked reliability because the "mediator's description of the [mediation] session gives the overall impression of bedlam" and the mediator's post-mediation interest in the case, including attendance at trial after being notified of the trial date by defendant, raised concerns about mediator neutrality; and 2) the defendant was able to introduce other evidence supporting his self-defense claim.

Abstract