Opinion ID: 1829871
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the trial court err in refusing to grant a new trial based on alleged misconduct by the plaintiffs' attorney?

Text: GM claims that the plaintiffs' attorney, Jere Beasley, engaged in trial misconduct that unfairly prejudiced GM. GM asserts that certain comments during cross-examination of GM's trial representative were made in order to bias the jurors. The most egregious conduct claimed as prejudicial by GM occurred when Beasley broke the fan shroud during closing argument. The plaintiffs contend that Beasley did not intend to break the fan shroud and that none of the comments made at trial were prejudicial. The trial judge is vested with a wide discretion in determining whether incidents that occur during the course of a trial affect the rights of either party to have a fair trial, and the judge's action may not be reversed unless it clearly appears that the judge has abused that discretion. Bucyrus-Erie Co. v. Von Haden, 416 So.2d 699, 701 (Ala.1982). The trial judge is in the best position to determine the probable effect of any comments or incidents occurring at trial. Id. In its order denying GM's motion for a new trial, the trial court discussed the issue of the alleged misconduct General Motors has filed a number of affidavits in support of its contention that a new trial is warranted as a result of damage to an exhibit which occurred during closing argument. It did not appear to the Court at the time that Mr. Beasley intentionally damaged the shroud. In fact, Defendant, General Motors made no objection at the time, did not request any instructions from this Court concerning the event, and did not move for a mistrial. The Court was not surprised at General Motors' decision not to raise the issue at the time since the evidence that the vehicle stalled was overwhelming and the breaking of the shroud during closing argument seemed insignificant. The Court finds this ground of Defendant General Motors to be totally without merit. .... General Motors cites as examples of what it contends to be improper conduct certain exchanges between Plaintiffs' counsel and General Motors' trial representative. Most of these occurred without any objection from defense counsel. On the rare occasions that Plaintiffs' counsel asked a question which called for inadmissible evidence, this Court sustained the objection from the defense counsel. In this Court's opinion, this ground asserted by General Motors is absolutely without merit. (C.R. 898-900). After a thorough review of the record, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GM's motion for a new trial based on alleged attorney misconduct.