Opinion ID: 2152784
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: cross-examination testimony from city's expert witness

Text: The City next claims the trial court erred in permitting and considering certain testimony elicited by plaintiffs on cross-examination from the City's expert witness Ottemann. The City contends that Ottemann's cross-examination testimony regarding the intention of the person drafting the job descriptions should not have been permitted. The City claims that such testimony was beyond the scope of direct examination and was beyond the area of Ottemann's expertise. At trial, the City objected to the testimony on these grounds. A ruling regarding the extent, scope, and course of the cross-examination rests within the discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of that discretion. Elstun v. Elstun, 257 Neb. 820, 600 N.W.2d 835 (1999). On direct examination, Ottemann testified extensively regarding his interpretation of the job descriptions. Ottemann's opinion that plaintiffs were not improperly classified was based in part on his interpretation of the job descriptions. Plaintiffs' cross-examination of Ottemann regarding whether he believed there were certain areas of ambiguity in the two job descriptions was not beyond the scope of direct examination. Such cross-examination was also not outside Ottemann's areas of expertise. Ottemann testified that he had graduated from law school and was familiar with the proposition that the intention of the drafter of a document is relevant in interpreting that document. He then testified that Troutman was the drafter of the job descriptions and that Troutman's intent was relevant. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting this testimony into evidence.