Opinion ID: 1165079
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cross-examination of Expert Witness

Text: The trial court refused to allow defendant's counsel to cross-examine the expert witness appearing for the State upon the grades which he received from the University of Wyoming where he was doing post-graduate work, the last of which grades were awarded to him some 12 1/2 years before. An expert is subject to a broad area of cross-examination to determine his expertise and questions which are fairly designed to test his expertise and to determine his qualifications and knowledge. Chrysler Corporation v. Todorovich, Wyo., 580 P.2d 1123, 1133 (1978). Even where this rule prevails, the area of cross-examination must remain within the discretion of the trial court. State v. Vennard, 159 Conn. 385, 270 A.2d 837, 844 (1970). The rule and reason therefor is set out in that case as follows: ... One of the purposes of the cross-examination of an expert is to test his qualifications and credibility, and the trial court has broad discretion in determining whether a given question satisfies this purpose... . See also United States v. Wainright, 10 Cir., 413 F.2d 796, 801 (1969), certiorari denied 396 U.S. 1009, 90 S.Ct. 566, 24 L.Ed.2d 501, affirmed Wainright v. United States, 10 Cir., 448 F.2d 984; and 2 Jones on Evidence, § 14:30, p. 668 (6th Ed.). Conceding arguendo that such evidence was relevant, the trial judge might have based his ruling upon Rule 403, supra. This evidence was so remote, it could be questionable and could tend to mislead and confuse a jury who might not well understand the grading system or its effect. This writer would personally question if the inquiry might be aimed at harassment of a witness rather than a search for qualifications. [2] A trial court's discretion in limiting cross-examination will not be disturbed unless clearly prejudicial. Nimmo v. State, supra, 603 P.2d at 393. The writer must also observe that there is not a suggestion of any authority argued or cited that such an inquiry was proper or that to refuse it would be error. In absence of such citation of authority, we must assume appellant found no such authority. Nation v. State ex rel. Fire Fighters Local 279, I.A.F.F., Wyo., 518 P.2d 931, 933 (1974), with cited authorities. Appellant has in no manner sustained his burden of establishing error.