Opinion ID: 6929124
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Deposition Testimony of Dr. Gawey

Text: The Angelos next argue that the trial court should have admitted the deposition testimony of Nicholas Angelo’s doctor, Dr. Steven Gawey. We review the trial court’s refusal to admit deposition testimony for abuse of discretion. 3 Polys v. Trans-Colorado Airlines, Inc., 941 F.2d 1404, 1407 (10th Cir.1991); Alfonso v. Lund, 783 F.2d 958, 961 (10th Cir.1986). Deposition testimony is normally inadmissible hearsay, but Fed.R.Civ.P. 32(a) creates an exception to the hearsay rules. See Southern Indiana Broadcasting, Ltd. v. F.C.C., 935 F.2d 1340, 1342 (D.C.Cir.1991); Carey v. Bahama Cruise Lines, 864 F.2d 201, 204 (1st Cir.1988). Depositions may also be independently admissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 32(a)(4) (“A deposition previously taken may also be used as permitted by the Federal Rules of Evidence.”); Fed.R.Evid. 804(b)(1) (excepting certain depositions from hearsay rule where the deponent is “unavailable as a witness”). The Angelos had the burden of proving that Dr. Gawey’s deposition testimony was admissible under Fed.R.Civ.P. 32(a) or Fed.R.Evid. 804. See Allgeier v. United States, 909 F.2d 869, 876 (6th Cir.1990) (stating that proponent bears the burden of proving that Rule 32 permits admission of deposition testimony); United States v. Eufracio-Torres, 890 F.2d 266, 269 (10th Cir.1989) (“When seeking evidence of a witness who is unavailable for trial under Fed.R.Evid. 804, the proponent of the evidence bears the burden of demonstrating the unavailability of a declarant.”), cert. denied, 494 U.S. 1008, 110 S.Ct. 1306, 108 L.Ed.2d 482 (1990). The Angelos argue that Dr. Gawey’s deposition testimony was admissible because he was unavailable to testify at trial. Rule 32 permits use of deposition testimony at trial if the proponent was “unable to procure the attendance of the witness by subpoena.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 32(a)(3)(D). Rule 804 is broader, excluding depositions from the hearsay rule when the deponent “is absent from the hearing and the proponent of a statement has been unable to procure the declarant’s attendance ... by process or other reasonable means.” Fed.R.Evid. 804(a)(5). The Angelos did subpoena Dr. Gawey, but he responded that he could not appear because his partner would be out of the office and he would be “extremely busy” during the time scheduled for his testimony. Appellants’ App. at 78. The district court offered to accommodate Dr. Gawey’s schedule and let him testify at a time that would be more convenient. Id, at 129-30. Dr. Gawey’s office apparently was close to the courthouse as well. Id. at 128. The Angelos’ counsel said he would do his best to persuade Dr. Gawey to testify, but four days later told the court that he couldn’t get Dr. Gawey to appear. Id. at 130, 134. The Angelos’ attorney then moved to admit Dr. Gawey’s deposition testimony without further explanation. The court denied the motion because Dr. Gawey’s excuse was not a “sufficient basis for excusing him from subpoena.” Id. at 134. The Angelos’ attorney did not explain what efforts he made to persuade Dr. Gawey, nor did he say why Dr. Gawey could not testify on a day that Dr. Gawey’s partner would not be away from their office. Although the trial judge had alluded to the court’s power to place the doctor in contempt, the Angelos apparently never considered invoking this power. Given the Angelos’ apparent lack of diligence in getting Dr. Gawey to appear, the district court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that the Angelos had not proved that they were unable to procure Dr. Gawey’s appearance by subpoena or other reasonable means. The Angelos also suggest that the deposition testimony was admissible under Rule 32(a)(3)(E) because there were “exceptional circumstances” justifying its use “in the interest of justice.” Although the existence of “exceptional circumstances” obviously depends on the facts of the particular case, [h]ow exceptional the circumstances must be under Rule 32(a)(3)(E) is indicated by its companion provisions. These authorize use of a deposition in lieu of live testimony only when the witness is shown to be unavailable or unable to testify because he is dead; at a great distance; aged, ill, infirm, or imprisoned; or unprocurable through a subpoena. Allgeier, 909 F.2d at 876. The Angelos do not describe any “exceptional circumstances” justifying admission of the deposition testimony other than Dr. Gawey’s refusal to appear. Their inability to get their witness to appear must be considered under the specific provisions dealing with that situation, which we have already held do not justify admitting the deposition testimony. The Angelos also stress the severe prejudice they suffered, but as Allgeier suggests, the “exceptional circumstances” must be a reason the deponent cannot appear, not merely serious prejudice that would result if the court did not admit the deposition testimony. 4