Opinion ID: 215581
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Testimony of Weller

Text: Soderman next argues that the court erred by allowing the testimony of Weller linking him to posts made on websites, which he claims was improper expert testimony. Weller never gave an opinion that would require “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge.” Fed. R. Evid. 702. Rather, her testimony consisted of describing online posts written by an individual using specific pseudonyms and describing how she used personal information given in those posts to connect Soderman to the pseudonyms by using Internet searches. 8 At most Weller’s “expertise” was in knowing where to find identifying information online and which search engines to use to connect that information to an actual person. While this might not be something everyone knows how to do, Weller’s “observations [were] common enough and require[d] such a limited amount of expertise, if any, that they can, indeed, be deemed lay witness opinions.” See United States v. VonWillie, 59 F.3d 922, 929 (9th Cir. 1995). The only opinion she gave was her belief that Soderman was the author of the posts. This opinion, which was based on comparing the information in the posts to information she gathered on Soderman, was “rationally based on the perception of the witness.” Fed. R. Evid. 701. Soderman also raises objections to Weller’s testimony on the grounds of lack of foundation and hearsay. These objections are also unfounded. The district court policed Weller’s testimony and sustained objections when her testimony did in fact lack foundation or was based on hearsay. The testimony Weller was allowed to give consisted of her observations about the posts and explaining how she linked those to Soderman. None of this testimony was hearsay or lacked foundation. The court did not abuse its discretion by allowing her testimony. 9