Opinion ID: 1733011
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Improper Questioning of a Witness

Text: On cross-examination, the following exchange took place between Mr. Snell, Luna's counsel, and Patricia Crawford, finance manager for North Star Dodge: Q (by Mr. Snell): And North Star Dodge is just about to go down the tubes, isn't it? A (by Crawford): No, that is not true. MR. YEDOR (North Star Dodge's counsel): Objection, Your Honor, that is highly improper. It surprises me that Mr. Snell would ask a question like that. THE COURT: You may ask another question but not that one. Q If Mr. Yedor has told me they are about to file bankruptcy, is that right or not, if he has told me they are on the verge of bankruptcy? MR. YEDOR: Judge, I will ask that the jury step out at this time. Mr. Yedor moved for a mistrial. The trial court decided to hold the motion in abeyance. A lunch break was taken. Up to this point Mr. Yedor had not requested a curative instruction. After the lunch break, Mr. Yedor requested a curative instruction. After the close of plaintiff's and defendant's cases, the trial court overruled the motion for mistrial and gave the jury the following instruction: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the Court has ruled that any mention of pending bankruptcy by North Star Dodge is inadmissible and should not be considered by you for any purpose. You are instructed to disregard such matter or matters in all of your deliberations. This was proper. North Star Dodge complains that it was reversible error for the trial court not to promptly instruct the jury to disregard the financial condition statements immediately after the statements were made. This argument is without merit. Mr. Yedor never requested a curative instruction immediately after the statements were made. Mr. Yedor waited until after a lunch break to request an instruction. If Mr. Yedor wanted a curative instruction after the trial court impliedly sustained his first objection, then Mr. Yedor should have requested one at that time. North Star Dodge further asserts that statements made by Mr. Snell concerning the financial condition and possible bankruptcy of North Star Dodge were incurable, and therefore, it was reversible error not to grant the motion for mistrial. In Standard Fire Insurance Company v. Reese, 584 S.W.2d 835 (Tex.1979), we set out the factors necessary to show reversible error. Reese applies to all cases in which alleged improper jury argument or improper questioning of a witness takes place. A reversal must come from an evaluation of the whole case. Reese, 584 S.W.2d at 840. From voir dire until the closing argument only two alleged improper questions were asked. The financial condition of North Star Dodge did not relate to a material finding in this case. The questioning on the subject of financial condition was not repeated. The trial court instructed the jury to disregard the statements for all purposes. If there was any error involved, it was harmless. Tex.R. Civ.P.503. That portion of the court of appeals judgment that affirmed the trial court's $3,200 award for monies Luna expended, the $2,000 award for twice the first $1,000 of actual damages, the $6,600 of additional damages and the $2,000 statutory violation is affirmed. We reverse that portion of the court of appeals judgment concerning the mental anguish, loss of use, and $31,200 of additional damages awards and remand this cause to the court of appeals to address the excessiveness of the damages and factual sufficiency of the evidence of the loss of use and mental anguish awards and the producing cause finding as it concerns the mental anguish damages.