Opinion ID: 163288
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Opinions regarding age discrimination at KMGH

Text: 51 At trial, Minshall introduced the testimony of Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen who opined that they were subjected to age discrimination at KMGH while Klinzing was employed. McGraw-Hill argues that the district court abused its discretion in admitting this testimony because it was irrelevant and unduly prejudicial. 52 The testimony of employees, other than plaintiff, is relevant in assessing the employer's discriminatory intent if the employees' testimony can logically or reasonably be tied to the adverse employment action taken against the plaintiff. See Curtis v. Oklahoma City Pub. Schs. Bd. of Educ., 147 F.3d 1200, 1217 (10th Cir.1998); see also Sanjuan, 160 F.3d at 1297. McGraw-Hill argues that the testimony of Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen is irrelevant because none of them were terminated by Klinzing and each testified that they believed they were discriminated against because of their on-air appearance. McGraw-Hill argues that, in contrast, Klinzing praised Minshall for his on-air work. 53 Contrary to McGraw-Hill's argument, the testimony of Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen is logically or reasonably tied to KMGH's decision not to renew Minshall's contract. Klinzing was responsible for establishing the Real Life, Real News format and for supervising Lynn, Bjorkman, Allen, and Minshall. Moreover, Klinzing made the decisions to remove Lynn and Bjorkman from the ten o'clock nightly news report, to move Allen to less favorable reporting assignments, and to not renew Minshall's contract. 54 McGraw-Hill also argues that Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen's testimony was unduly prejudicial and confusing and should have been excluded under Rule 403 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. As discussed above, the circumstances surrounding Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen's employment were substantially similar to the circumstances surrounding Minshall's employment prior to the non-renewal of his contract. Accordingly, this testimony was probative of McGraw-Hill's discriminatory intent. Moreover, McGraw-Hill fails to articulate how Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen's testimony confused the jury. After reviewing the record, this court is satisfied that the district court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that the testimony was not unduly prejudicial. 55 Accordingly, because Lynn, Bjorkman, and Allen's testimony was relevant and not unduly prejudicial, the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the testimony. 56