Opinion ID: 2429561
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: misconduct by the plaintiff's attorney

Text: SLU asserts eleven instances of misconduct by plaintiff's counsel. We will address each assertion briefly bearing in mind: in cases of misconduct, improper argument, prejudicial evidence or other improper incidents in the course of a trial, the necessity of the drastic remedy of a mistrial is a matter resting in the sound discretion of the trial court and that, absent a manifest abuse of that discretion, [we] should not interfere. Hoene v. Associated Dry Goods Corp., 487 S.W.2d 479, 485 (Mo.1972). First, SLU argues that counsel failed to produce a report from an expert witness after they had established sufficient grounds for production. Defendants requested reports prepared by plaintiff's experts, and their request was denied as work product. When they again requested the reports, Danny's counsel stated his belief that no such reports existed. On the first day of trial, Danny's attorney submitted a letter from Dr. Malone to the judge for in camera inspection. While the judge found this to be a report as requested, he once again denied the defendant access to it because of the work product doctrine. During cross-examination Dr. Malone admitted that he had used the letter to refresh his memory before he testified. SLU was then given the document after it was again requested. See United States v. Nobles, 422 U.S. 225, 95 S.Ct. 2160, 45 L.Ed.2d 141 (1975). [5] SLU did not object to the trial court's resolution of the situation, had ample time to review the letter after it was provided, and extensively cross-examined Dr. Malone. As such, no error or prejudice resulted. Next, SLU alleges that Danny's counsel failed to inform them that Dr. Malone would materially alter his causation opinion. According to the record and the ruling of the trial judge, the change in opinion was from a reasonable medical probability to a reasonable medical certainty. This does not constitute a material alteration that would require notification to opposing counsel. Third, SLU contends that after use of an enlarged exhibit was ruled improper, Danny's counsel failed to remove it from the jury's sight. When SLU objected to this behavior in chambers the day after the incident occurred and moved for mistrial, the judge stated that he did not believe counsel's actions were intentional or that any jurors read or would be able to understand the exhibit. We defer to the trial judge's observation of the situation and find no prejudicial effect. Fourth, SLU contends that during cross-examination, Danny's counsel attacked Dr. Cherry, an expert witness for the defense, on a collateral issue involving research grants he had received from Lederle Laboratories, Inc., the manufacturer of Orimune and other vaccines. It is well established that the extent and scope of cross-examination in a civil action is within the discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed unless an abuse of discretion is clearly shown. Stafford v. Lyon, 413 S.W.2d 495, 498 (Mo.1967). This is especially true for cross-examinations of expert witnesses. There is wide latitude to test qualifications, credibility, skill or knowledge, and value and accuracy of opinion. Id. Further, the pecuniary interest, bias or prejudice of a witness is not collateral and can always be shown subject to the limitations imposed by the trial judge in his sound discretion. Houfburg v. Kansas City Stock Yards Co. of Maine, 283 S.W.2d 539, 548-49 (Mo.1955). Basically, the jury is entitled to know information that might affect the credibility of the witness, the weight to give his testimony, and any relation he may have with parties interested in the outcome of the case. Schuler v. St. Louis Can Co., 18 S.W.2d 42, 46 (Mo. 1929). While this rule has most often been applied to cases where the expert witness is a doctor employed by the defendant's insurer to examine the plaintiff, the underlying logic is applicable in the instant case. Here, Dr. Cherry's testimony was based on his editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The editorial reflected very favorably on Lederle. From his testimony it was revealed that financial assistance for Dr. Cherry's department and research came through large grants from Lederle. It was also revealed that Dr. Cherry testified for Lederle and other similar companies against plaintiffs in eighty to one hundred products liability or medical malpractice actions. Even though Lederle is no longer a party to this action, this evidence was admissible to show possible prejudice or bias. How far this inquiry may go into the details of the interest or prejudice is left for the trial court to decide. State v. Pigques, 310 S.W.2d 942, 947 (Mo.1958). Therefore, the trial court did not err in allowing this line of questioning because the jury has the responsibility to determine the credibility and weight it should give to an expert's testimony. See also Weatherly v. Miskle, 655 S.W.2d 842 (Mo.App.1983). Fifth, SLU contends that Danny's counsel improperly injected another pending lawsuit into evidence. During cross-examination of Dr. Anderson, Danny's counsel asked, Have you at any time been told by the defendants for either St. Louis University or Cardinal Glennon that a boy by the name of Ryan Kress developed polio after he had.... Counsel for Cardinal Glennon interrupted the question at that point, and the attorneys were immediately called to side bar. Dr. Anderson was also asked to join the discussion at the bench. The rest of the proceedings surrounding the incident were out of the hearing of the jury. At side bar it was established that Dr. Anderson had no knowledge of the case mentioned where a child developed polio after having a bacterial infection. The trial judge ruled that counsel had not gotten far enough into the question to give the impression that the defendants were trying to hide evidence from the jury. SLU contends that during the side bar Danny's counsel gestured and picked up a file to give the impression that defendants were trying to hide something. No mention of this is made in the record by either defendant. In fact nothing in the record substantiates SLU's claims. Accordingly, we can find no error or prejudice. Sixth, SLU asserts improper conduct during cross-examination of witnesses. Once again, whether a mistrial should be granted from improper cross-examination of a witness is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court and absent manifest abuse of discretion we should not interfere. Hoene, 487 S.W.2d at 485. SLU cites several instances in the record where allegedly improper arguments occurred. These instances were either cured by the judge after objection or had no prejudicial effect. These situations do not merit a finding of manifest abuse of discretion. Seventh, SLU asserts that counsel utilized a list of Danny's wishes in direct examination to prompt Danny to cry and evoke sympathy from the jury. As a rule, emotional demonstrations, such as crying, by those who are parties or who are observing a personal injury action should be avoided. Garrison v. Ryno, 328 S.W.2d 557, 568 (Mo. 1959); see Eichelberger v. Barnes Hosp., 655 S.W.2d 699, 707 (Mo.App.1983). However, whether such emotional displays engender passion and prejudice sufficient to invoke sympathy on the part of the jury is something we think should be left largely to the discretion of the trial court. Walton v. U.S. Steel Corp., 362 S.W.2d 617, 627 (Mo.1962). Again, the trial court is in the best position to observe the incident, the general atmosphere of the courtroom, and the impact on the jury. We defer to the judgment of the trial court and have no basis for finding an abuse of discretion. SLU's final four points allege improper closing argument from Danny's counsel. In evaluating these assertions we remember that [d]etermining the prejudicial effect of final argument is a matter within the discretion of the trial court, and the trial court's judgment on that matter will not be disturbed unless there was an abuse of discretion. Hoover's Dairy v. Mid-America Dairymen, 700 S.W.2d 426, 434 (Mo. banc 1985). Wide discretion is given to a trial judge and, absent abuse, the judge's decision will stand. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. v. Greening, 458 S.W.2d 268, 273 (Mo.1970). SLU first complains that Danny's counsel asked the jury to consider potential retribution being faced by one of their expert witnesses, Dr. Burmeister, as a result of his participation in the lawsuit. SLU objected when this argument was made, the objection was sustained, and the court, on its own, instructed the jury to disregard the remark. The incident was cured by the trial judge, therefore, we must assume the jury followed the judge's instruction and disregarded the statement. In accordance with our assumption, we find no prejudicial effect. SLU next complains that Danny's counsel mischaracterized the testimony of one of the defense witnesses, Dr. Barry. During closing argument, counsel stated that Dr. Barry indicated that Danny's abscess should have been incised and drained. Dr. Barry, in his deposition, indicated in various places that, when following correct procedure, both perianal and perirectal abscesses should be incised and drained. In closing argument counsel is traditionally given wide latitude to suggest inferences from the evidence. Moore v. Missouri Pacific R. Co., 825 S.W.2d 839, 844 (Mo. banc 1992). This rule applies even though the inferences may seem illogical or even erroneous. Id. The judge overruled an objection by SLU, then to cure any possible error instructed the jury to recall the evidence as they had heard it. The trial court's broad discretion in ruling on the propriety of closing argument was appropriately applied in this case. Id. SLU's assertion has no merit. SLU complains that Danny's counsel argued an adverse inference based on two St. Louis University doctors not being called to appear at trial, but whose reports were introduced into evidence. It is true that [t]he failure of a party to call a witness having knowledge of facts and circumstances vital to the case generally raises a presumption that the testimony would be unfavorable to the party failing to proffer it.... It is improper, however, for a party to argue the negative inference resulting from his opponent's failure to produce such a witness if the witness is equally available to both parties. Leehy v. Supreme Exp. & Transfer Co., 646 S.W.2d 786, 790 (Mo. banc 1983). Dr. Cantor was deposed by Danny's counsel and Dr. O'Reilly, as a treating physician, could have been deposed. However, we are not convinced that the statements referred to as the basis for this argument were an attempt by counsel to raise an adverse or negative inference. We find that the comments made were not prejudicial in nature. SLU argues that a misquote by the court reporter, if corrected, would substantiate this claim. We have no basis to believe that the reporter was mistaken nor will we alter the record to favor SLU. Finally, SLU claims that counsel improperly referred to letters written by Dr. O'Reilly and Dr. Cantor during closing argument. Dr. O'Reilly's letter was admitted into evidence and portions of it were read to the jury during Dr. Malone's testimony. It provided in part: I feel that he [plaintiff] has a quadr[i]paresis apparently secondary to infection. During closing argument, Danny's counsel merely restated a portion of the letter. There was no misconduct. Dr. Cantor's letter addressed to Danny pediatrician, Dr. Fetick, provided in part: Thank you very much for allowing me to follow this fascinating child with his triplegia that seems related to his perianal abscess.... Although Danny's counsel did not misstate the contents of the letter, it is rather misleading. But because the letter was in evidence, the reading of a portion of this letter was not sufficient to establish misconduct by Danny's attorney. SLU has taken great pains to cite instances of possible attorney misconduct in this case. We are, of course, aware that attorneys use legal tactics to facilitate a favorable outcome for their clients, but none of the incidents cited by SLU resulted in error or were prejudicial in effect. Where various incidents referred to do not constitute error, an accumulation of non-erroneous incidents cannot result in error. Gathright v. Pendegraft, 433 S.W.2d 299, 317 (Mo.1968). As such, we find no abuse of discretion by the trial judge in evaluating the conduct of the attorneys. The trial judge correctly denied SLU's motion for a mistrial.