Opinion ID: 1870908
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the trial court err by allowing Dr. Leo Scanlon to testify on the effects of alcohol?

Text: During his case in chief, Bill Ellis offered the testimony of Dr. Leo Scanlon by way of a video taped deposition. Dr. Scanlon was tendered as an expert in the fields of medicine, pathology and blood alcohol and the effects of alcohol on the human body. After Dr. Scanlon testified about his credentials and the procedures for administering blood alcohol tests, he was presented with a question in hypothetical form. Dr. Scanlon was asked to assume that Lonnie Edwards, a 34-year-old male in good general health, on June 14, 1980, at approximately 1:00 o'clock p.m., was involved in an auto accident. He was eventually transported to Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a blood sample was taken which was then delivered to the chemistry lab at Baptist Hospital for analysis. The results of that analysis revealed 180 milligrams of alcohol per milliliter of blood (0.18%). Dr. Scanlon was also directed to assume that no additional drinks were consumed between the time of the accident and the time the blood sample was taken. Dr. Scanlon then stated that: 180 milligrams or .18 is really intoxicated. Based on a standard rate of metabolism of 20 milligrams per hour, he indicated that Edwards's blood alcohol level would have been approximately 260 milligrams at the time of the accident. Dr. Scanlon went on to testify to the physical capabilities and characteristics of a person with 180 milligrams alcohol per milliliter of blood. He stated that such a person would have a very poor reaction time, very poor coordination, double vision, and depressed hearing. Such a person, he stated, could under no circumstances be considered a safe driver. Furthermore, a driver with a blood alcohol level of 260 milligrams would be even more adversely affected. Prior to presentation of the video taped deposition in court, counsel for Lonnie Edwards objected, stating that Dr. Scanlon's testimony was Based on a hypothetical situation regarding the blood alcohol test ... in direct violation of § 63-11-7 and 9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Ann., as amended, ... The statute provides that they cannot get into ... the result of the test... . This objection was overruled for the same reasons as discussed under the first assignment of error; no other objections were made. On appeal, Edwards asserts that the testimony of Dr. Scanlon was highly prejudicial, served no useful purpose and was unnecessary. The basis of admission of expert testimony is that of necessity, and Edwards now claims that Scanlon's testimony invaded the province of the jury without necessity, a knowledge of the effects of alcohol on drivers not being outside the experience of the average person. Testimony of a pathologist as to the effect of blood alcohol content upon the intoxication of a person is competent evidence. See McNamee v. State, 313 So.2d 392, 393 (Miss. 1975). (Such testimony ruled admissable in criminal prosecution.) Furthermore, other than the objection based on § 63-11-7 as mentioned above, Edwards failed to object to the contents of Scanlon's testimony either at the deposition, or before or during trial. As objections to evidence cannot be raised for the first time on appeal, Gilmore-Puckett Lumber Co. v. Bank of Tupelo, 177 Miss. 152, 170 So. 682 (1936); Garraga v. Yellow Cab Co., 222 Miss. 739, 77 So.2d 276 (1955), Edwards has lost his opportunity to do so. It is not permissible to wait until after a verdict has been rendered to raise questions such as this after it has turned out that the verdict is unfavorable. It is too late to raise the point for the first time in a motion for a new trial. The trial court may not be put in error where timely requests for a ruling has not been made. Timely objections ... are necessary to preserve such points on appeal. Anderson v. Jaeger, 317 So.2d 902, 907 (Miss. 1975).