Opinion ID: 1852505
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether the videotape and photographs purportedly showing subsequent remedial measures should have been shown to the jury or allowed into evidence.

Text: ¶ 25. Belmont Homes asserts that the trial court violated Rule 407 of the Mississippi Rules of Evidence by allowing into evidence certain photographs and a videotape which revealed subsequent remedial measures. The photographs and videotape depicted Highway 25 where hot mix asphalt had been applied to the shoulder of the highway by MDOT after the accident in October, 1994. The photographs were shown to the jury during Stewart's opening statement and throughout the course of the trial. The videotape was played in its entirety to the jury. ¶ 26. Stewart argues that the photographs and videotape were offered to identify Belmont Homes as the entity which created the rut in question, rather than to establish negligence. Further, she argues that Rule 407 is inapplicable since the subsequent remedial measure was performed by a third partyin this case, MDOT. ¶ 27. M.R.E. 407 states as follows: When, after an event, measures are taken which, if taken previously, would have made the event less likely to occur, evidence of the subsequent measures is not admissible to prove negligence or culpable conduct in connection with the event. This rule does not require the exclusion of evidence of subsequent measures when offered for another purpose, such as proving ownership, control, or feasibility of precautionary measures, if controverted, or impeachment. ¶ 28. The videotape footage began at Belmont Homes' plant and filmed the repaired rut running along Highway 25 to the accident site. Additional evidence established that during a ninety-day period preceding Stewart's accident, Belmont Homes transported 1,234 mobile homes along this route. Stewart asserts that the videotape reveals the identity of the tortfeasor as Belmont Homes since the footage shows the rutted condition of the west or right shoulder going south. The tape further reveals that such condition did not exist on the left or east side. Some of the photographs depict the accident scene shortly after the accident before MDOT placed asphalt along the shoulder of the road to fill the rut. Some of the photographs and all of the videotape depict the highway after MDOT's repairs. Cumulatively, this proof establishes the damage occurring when the trucks towing the trailers departed from the plant site. No ruts were indicated on the shoulder along the unhitched trucks' return route. Such proof was relevant to identify the alleged tortfeasor, Belmont Homes. ¶ 29. Rule 407 allows this type of evidence to be introduced for certain purposes. Identity of the tortfeasor is not one of the specifically enumerated reasons, but such a reason is acceptable, especially in light of the Comment which states, Rule 407 is more liberal than was the similar Mississippi [common law] practice. Therefore, it was not error to admit the videotape and photographs. We find no merit to this argument. ¶ 30. Belmont Homes cited Sawyer v. Illinois Cent. Gulf R.R., 606 So.2d 1069, 1074-75 (Miss.1992) in support of its proposition that Rule 407 applies even though a third party performed the remedial measures. In Sawyer, evidence was admitted that flashing light warning devices were installed at a railroad crossing six months after the subject accident. This Court found the evidence inadmissible and stated, The present record is uncontradicted that the flashing light warning devises were installed (in part) as a subsequent remedial measure, albeit this was done by public authorities.... Id. at 1075. In Sawyer, however, the remedial efforts were not offered to establish identity of the tortfeasor. Consequently, Sawyer is not apropos on this issue.