Opinion ID: 564393
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Admissibility of Dr. Allen's Testimony as Expert Testimony

Text: 27 The government also argues that this court should exclude Dr. Allen's testimony on the ground that it is not an appropriate subject of expert testimony pursuant to Fed.R.Ev. 702. According to the government, Dr. Allen's testimony would have been either irrelevant because Clyne should have received similar injuries in both the defense's and prosecution's versions of events or impinged on the jury's function because the jury was in as good a position as Dr. Allen to decide whether the injuries received were consistent with each party's story. The government also raises questions concerning Dr. Allen's expert qualifications. 28 The admissibility or exclusion of expert testimony is within the discretion of the trial court, and is reversible only for abuse of discretion or manifest error. United States v. Arvin, 900 F.2d 1385, 1388-89 (9th Cir.1990), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 672, 112 L.Ed.2d 664 (1991). Because the district court improperly excluded Dr. Allen's testimony on the basis of asserted discovery violations, it never exercised its discretion concerning admission of the expert testimony. Accordingly, without offering any opinion regarding whether Dr. Allen's testimony should properly have been admitted pursuant to Fed.R.Ev. 702, we remand to the district court for a determination of that issue. If the district court determines that the expert testimony should properly have been admitted, we direct the court to order a new trial. Because Peters is currently serving his 18-month sentence, a decision on the issue of the admissibility of the expert testimony should be reached promptly or, alternatively, the district court should order Peters released on bail pending that determination. 29 The mandate shall issue forthwith. The district court shall determine admissibility or release the defendant on bail within twenty-one days of issuance of the mandate. In the event a new trial is ordered, the defendant shall be released on bail pending retrial. The district court may set such terms as may be required to assure attendance at trial. This panel will retain jurisdiction of any future appeals. 30 REMANDED.