Opinion ID: 1612232
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 31

Heading: Qualifications of Raasch and Lockwood as Experts

Text: Roles argues that Raasch and Lockwood should not have been allowed to masquerade before the jury as `experts' at all. Brief for appellant in case No. S-98-782 at 33. The requirements for admission of expert opinion testimony are found in Neb.Rev.Stat. ง 27-702 (Reissue 1995). Section 27 702 provides that [i]f scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise. Four factors govern the admissibility of expert testimony: (1) whether the witness is qualified as an expert, (2) whether the testimony is relevant, (3) whether the testimony will assist the trier of fact, and (4) whether the probative value of the testimony, even if relevant, is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or other considerations. Snyder v. EMCASCO Ins. Co., 259 Neb. 621, 611 N.W.2d 409 (2000); Franksen v. Crossroads Joint Venture, supra . At trial, Roles did not challenge the qualifications of Raasch as a real estate appraiser or those of Lockwood as a certified public accountant. The record reflects that both were clearly qualified as experts in their fields. Raasch clearly possessed the knowledge, skill, experience, training, and education to express an expert opinion as to the value of an ethanol plant. He was a licensed and certified real estate appraiser with experience in the valuation of commercial property in general and ethanol plants in particular. Lockwood was a certified public accountant with experience in economic forecasting. Both were properly qualified as experts in their respective fields.