Opinion ID: 2062890
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Admission of Videotape Evidence

Text: Appellant, Mary Cooper, testified on direct-examination as to the limitations that her physical injuries placed on her daily activities. She stated that she could not stand for very long, and that when she came down steps, she mostly did so like a two year old child, one foot at a time. Sometimes she slid down the stairs and pushed herself up them backwards. She also stated that since the accident she needed help with the household duties and shopping. On cross-examination, appellant reiterated that she had difficulty doing housework and going up and down stairs. She elaborated on the ways in which she went up and down stairs, and claimed that when using the stairs, she used a banister. She stated that she had these problems with stairs since the accident and indicated that they continued to the present. She stated that she sometimes used a cane to walk around the house and when she got out of the car, and that she would not drive at times because she would become nervous. [13] In the defense case, on the third day of trial, appellee proffered, as impeachment evidence, a videotape of appellant that had been taken a few weeks before trial. Appellee stated that the tape would show appellant going up and down stairs [14] , going away from the house unassisted, and performing minor tasks without assistance. Appellee asserted that the videotape was being offered for impeachment of appellant's and her daughter's testimony, and to show that they misrepresented facts that related to the extent of damages. Appellant's attorney opposed the admission of the evidence, arguing that it was surprise evidence and that appellant was not contending that she was bedridden, only that she had diminished capabilities. The trial court concluded that the evidence was proper for presentation on the issues of damages and general credibility  impeachment. [15]