Opinion ID: 1667144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Appellees Employment and Health of Spouse

Text: Appellant argues the trial court erred in allowing testimony concerning the health of appellee's spouse, treatment she was receiving at the time of the incident, and that appellee was employed. Prior to appellee taking the stand, the appellant moved to prohibit him from testifying that he was still working and that his wife had cancer. The appellant asserted the only claim being made by appellee was for property damage; therefore, the testimony regarding his wife's health was not relevant under A.R.E. Rule 402. As to the testimony regarding Mr. Perkins' employment status, the appellant also contended at trial that if the testimony was relevant it was prejudicial and should be excluded under A.R.E. Rule 403. The trial court concluded it would permit appellee to testify regarding why he was on the road, what type of treatment his wife was receiving, and his employment status. Appellee testified that he was seventyeight years old and he worked at Johnny Rye Grocery in Tyronza. He stated that at the time of the accident, his wife was in the vehicle with him, and that they were returning home from West Memphis, where his wife was being treated for cancer. He stated they had gone back several times for her checkups, and he was familiar with the intersection where the accident occurred. Finally, appellee testified his wife was not present at the trial because her doctor did not want her to attend. On appeal, the appellant asserts the testimony in question was in no way relevant to any issue involved in the underlying lawsuit. Accordingly, the appellant submits the testimony should have been excluded pursuant to A.R.E. Rule 402. Arkansas Rule of Evidence 402 provides: Relevant evidence generally admissible Irrelevant evidence inadmissible.All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by statute or by these rules or by other rules applicable in the courts of this State. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible. A trial court's ruling on the relevancy of evidence will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. In re Adoption of K.F.H. and K.F.H., 311 Ark. 416, 844 S.W.2d 343 (1993). Further, we will not reverse a trial court's weighing of probative value against unfair prejudice under Rule 403 unless there has been a manifest abuse of discretion. Billett v. State, 317 Ark. 346, 877 S.W.2d 913 (1994); see also Miller v. Nix, 315 Ark. 569, 868 S.W.2d 498 (1994). Appellee asserted at trial that the fact that he was still working was relevant because he was seventy-eight years old and the jurors might question an elderly person's driving skills. Indeed, whether appellee was negligent was the ultimate issue in the appellant's complaint, and whether he could properly maintain and control his vehicle was relevant. Testimony that he was still employed was evidence which had a tendency to make the existence of a fact of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would have been without the evidence. A.R.E. Rule 401. We cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in concluding that the status of appellee's employment was admissible under A.R.E. Rule 403. The testimony regarding appellee's familiarity with the intersection and his reason for being there was relevant to the issue of his negligence. At trial, the appellant argued the testimony was not relevant because appellee's complaint was only for property damage; however, his complaint alleged that appellee's negligence was the cause of the accident. Finally, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in permitting appellee to explain his wife's absence as a witness. In testifying regarding his wife's absence, Mr. Perkins was simply explaining why he was the only witness in support of his claim, and the credibility of a witness is always in issue. See A.R.E. Rule 608; Davlin v. State, 320 Ark. 624, 899 S.W.2d 451 (1995). Affirmed. NEWBERN, J., not participating.