Opinion ID: 2362970
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Admission of Dr. Parsons's Report

Text: Finally, we find no merit in respondent's objection to the trial justice's decision to admit Dr. Parsons's report into evidence as a full exhibit. Although respondent concedes that Rule 703 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence provides for the admissibility of the underlying facts or data that Dr. Parsons, as an expert, relied upon in forming his opinion, he argues that the rule does not allow the expert's actual report into evidence. In admitting the report into evidence over respondent's hearsay objection, the trial justice commented, The weight I give it remains to be seen. I'm certainly capable of reviewing all of your concerns   . Doctor Parsons's report consisted primarily of his own evaluation of Corryn's mother, but also contained some statements about respondent based upon Dr. Du Pont's evaluation and information provided by Corryn's mother. We first note that Dr. Du Pont's report was also admitted into evidence; thus Dr. Parsons's references to it presented neither new nor improper evidence. Doctor Du Pont's report, along with DCYF's records and his own interviews with Corryn's mother merely comprised the underlying facts or data upon which Dr. Parsons relied in forming his opinion. See R.I.R. Evid. 703. We also have recognized that trial justices presiding over non-jury trials without a jury possess the wisdom, training and experience necessary to sort through such exhibits and consider only the aspects that are reliable and probative of the issues relating to the [parent's] conduct. In re Stephanie, 660 A.2d 260, 261 (R.I.1995). We are well satisfied that the admission of Dr. Parsons's report as a full exhibit was a sustainable exercise of the trial justice's discretion.