Opinion ID: 2164543
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Hypothetical Question Posed by Defense

Text: On recross-examination, defense counsel asked Dr. Jacobsohn whether his opinion would change if, in addition to the tests actually performed at Augusta Mental Health Institute, Dr. Kincaid had given the defendant the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test, and as a result of that test, had informed him that defendant was suffering from an hysterical neurosis, dissociative type. The State objected on the basis of Dr. Jacobsohn's previous testimony that he and Dr. Kincaid had specifically not administered the MMPI test at AMHI because they believed the results from that test would be inconclusive. The court sustained the State's objection, reasoning that Dr. Jacobsohn in forming his opinion had relied upon the results of actual tests performed by Dr. Kincaid and that, if the tests and their results had been different, Dr. Jacobsohn's opinion quite obviously might change. He concluded that it was not a fair question. We reject defendant's argument that the Superior Court justice abused his discretion. It is within the discretion of the trial court to determine issues concerning the form and scope of the hypothetical question and the extent of its factual assumptions. State v. Bunker, Me., 351 A.2d 841, 844 (1976); Reid v. Eastern Steamship Co., 112 Me. 34, 49, 90 A. 609, 617 (1914). Here Drs. Jacobsohn and Kincaid had decided specifically not to use an MMPI test as part of their examination of defendant. The significance of the MMPI test had already been thoroughly explored by defense counsel through Dr. Bishop. Thus, the Superior Court justice did not abuse his discretion in sustaining the objection to this particular hypothetical question.