Opinion ID: 2001791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: verdict as product of passion or prejudice

Text: In its brief, High Plains asserts many erroneous evidentiary rulings which cumulatively resulted in a verdict influenced by passion or prejudice. As we are remanding for a new trial on damages, we conclude only one issue merits consideration: Dr. Gebaur's alleged drinking. High Plains sought by motion in limine to prohibit any testimony that Gebauer smelled of alcohol or was intoxicated while on the job. When the motion was denied, High Plains received a standing objection on the topic. In hopes of reducing the impact, High Plains raised the issue before the jury first through its opening statement and through the testimony of several of its own witnesses. Stamison argues that by broaching the matter first, High Plains waived its objection. We disagree. The value in requesting protective orders and standing objections would be meaningless if a party who has made a proper record, but fails to convince the court to exclude evidence, waives the objection merely in attempting to soften the prejudice by offering the evidence first. Burnett v. Fowler, 315 Ark. 646, 869 S.W.2d 694, 696 (1994); State v. Hicks, 133 Ariz. 64, 69, 649 P.2d 267, 272 (1982); People v. Spates, 77 Ill.2d 193, 32 Ill.Dec. 333, 336, 395 N.E.2d 563, 566 (1979). Stamison testified that he had less confidence in Dr. Gebauer than one of his lab assistants, because just once in a while [he] was a little bit less than par because from time to time he had been under the influence of alcohol. On cross-examination Stamison conceded, You know, I don't think I have ever said that Merlin was intoxicated. I just said I had a problem with Merlin's drinking. Yet the record is devoid of any evidence that while Dr. Gebauer was working on Stamison's embryos or cattle he performed under the influence of alcohol. Stamison completely agreed with this and never asserted otherwise. Stamison's real concern, as he stated at trial, was Dr. Gebauer's shaking while working with the embryos under the microscope. Stamison associated this with the residual effects of alcohol abuse, but other than his naked opinion, there was no medical basis to assert a connection. The steadiness of Gebauer's hands in this technical matter was a legitimate concern relating to the quality of his work, but with Stamison's concession that he never saw Gebauer under the influence while working for him, a suggestion that alcohol was the cause for Gebauer's alleged shakiness would undoubtedly create prejudice. But even absent prejudice, the relevance is highly questionable. Also the trial court never balanced the probative value of this evidence with its prejudicial impact. SDCL 19-12-3 (Rule 403); Shamburger v. Behrens, 380 N.W.2d 659 (S.D.1986). We conclude, therefore, that High Plains' motion in limine should have been granted. Nonetheless, in view of the solid proof of substandard results, we do not believe this evidence was so prejudicial it impaired the jury's finding on liability, especially when even Dr. Gebauer agreed the results were unacceptable. Estate of Billings v. Jehovah Witnesses, 506 N.W.2d 138, 143 (S.D.1993); Itzen v. Wilsey, 440 N.W.2d 312, 314 (S.D.1989).