TMG Life Ins. A party is not entitled to reversal of a judgment based on an erroneous evidentiary ruling unless the party demonstrates that the error was prejudicial. An evidentiary error is prejudicial if the error might reasonably have changed the result of the trial. The evidence regarding the federal action was relevant only to the retaliatory eviction defense. Because the retaliatory eviction defense does not apply to this case, the evidence was irrelevant to this case.
Irrelevant evidence is inadmissible.
Minn. R. Evid. The trial court, therefore, erred in admitting the evidence. The improperly admitted evidence might reasonably have influenced the jury's consideration of the evidence regarding the breach of contract issue and changed the result of the trial. The error in admitting the evidence was prejudicial. The trial court did not err in denying Cloverdale's motion for a directed verdict because the evidence was sufficient to raise a fact question regarding whether Pioneer materially breached the lease agreement.