Opinion ID: 1881709
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: The Trial Court erred in failing to allow the Plaintiff to introduce evidence of existence of a videotape of the blackjack table (surveillance daily log sheets) and in failing to grant Plaintiff's Jury Instruction P-5.

Text: ¶ 93. Jackson contends that the trial court erred in denying a daily surveillance log sheet showing the existence of a videotape of the blackjack table into evidence. In addition, Jackson contends that Jury Instruction P-5 pertaining to the issue of spoliation should have been granted by the trial court. This Court finds both contentions to be without merit. ¶ 94. As stated above, the standard of review for either the admission or exclusion of evidence is abuse of discretion. Floyd v. City of Crystal Springs, 749 So.2d at 113. The court will not reverse the admission or exclusion of evidence unless the error adversely affects a substantial right of a party. Id. ¶ 95. The trial court, in the case sub judice, denied Jackson's amendment to the pretrial order on the day of trial to include the surveillance log which indicated video activity at the blackjack table. In specific, the trial court ruled that Alpha did not know prior to the day of trial that Jackson wanted to introduce the surveillance log into evidence and that Alpha would not have any way of challenging the document. Alpha stated that the document was not part of the pretrial order and, therefore, Alpha did not have a witness to explain the document; the document is speculative; and, the document cannot be authenticated. Jackson, on the other hand, contends that the log was produced in conjunction with the event in question and is part of the exhibit; the defendant produced the log and, therefore, there is no surprise; and the log is admissible under M.R.E. 802(6) as a business record. The document would be relevant to show that the casino does tape the game tables. ¶ 96. For a case to be reversed on the admission or exclusion of evidence, it must result in prejudice and harm or adversely affect a substantial right of a party. Terrain Enter., Inc. v. Mockbee, 654 So.2d 1122, 1131 (Miss.1995). In the case sub judice, this Court finds that the verdict was in favor of Jackson, as such, any alleged error would be harmless and does not merit further review.