Opinion ID: 566008
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Testimony of Andrew Baker

Text: 101 Billet's third argument on appeal involves the district court's excluding certain testimony of his witness, Andrew Baker, sales manager of the pre-paid insurance sales force in Philadelphia from February 1988 until January 1989. As we have noted, Billet submitted an affidavit from Baker in opposition to Connecticut General's motion for summary judgment. This affidavit set forth Baker's observations regarding Billet's managerial skills and knowledge of indemnity insurance, along with comments on Botta's lack of knowledge about indemnity insurance and lack of managerial skill. Connecticut General then filed a pre-trial motion in limine to limit Baker's testimony at trial but no disposition was made of the motion before trial. 102 When Billet called Baker at trial, Connecticut General brought this outstanding motion to the attention of the court and requested an offer of proof from Billet as to Baker's testimony. In response to the court's asking what offer of proof was being made, Billet's counsel responded: 103 Mr. Phillips (counsel for Billet): The offer of proof--Miss Middleton well-knows what he is going to testify about. Andrew Baker was the sales director under HMO, Bill Billet's counterpart, as to what went on in 1988, which he is intimately familiar with. Mr. Billet and he worked closely together. 104 There is a lot Mr. Baker will testify. She knows exactly what he will testify to. She took his deposition. 105 Ms. Middleton (counsel for Connecticut General): I have no problem with his testimony of incidents he has personal knowledge of, but we are concerned about a number of things. He never supervised Mr. Billet and I am concerned he is going to testify as to Mr. Billet's performance. 106