Opinion ID: 198219
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Challenged Evidence.

Text: 19 We turn now from the general to the particular, and canvass the evidence tendered below insofar as it bears on this appeal. Following Ruiz's death, the authorities ordered an autopsy. The autopsy report included toxicology results indicating that Ruiz's body contained 0.45 mcg/ml of cocaine and 0.15 mcg/ml of a cocaine metabolite (benzoylecgonine) in its blood, cocaine metabolites in its urine and vitreous humor, and cocaine in its nasal passages. The defendants proffered Dr. James O'Donnell, a well-credentialed pharmacologist, to comment upon the significance of these findings. Dr. O'Donnell was prepared to testify, based on the autopsy report, that in his opinion Ruiz had snorted 200 milligrams of cocaine within an hour prior to the accident. Dr. O'Donnell also proposed to testify that cocaine impairs senses and capabilities affecting driving, diminishes perception, and increases the willingness to take risks. The district court excluded not only Dr. O'Donnell's testimony, but also the toxicology results. And, though the court permitted the defendants' accident reconstruction expert, Eric Cintrn, to testify, the court apparently precluded counsel from eliciting his opinion that Ruiz would not have initiated the fateful passing maneuver had it not been for his cocaine intoxication. 4 20