Opinion ID: 879244
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Did the District Court Err in Admitting the Testimony of Dr. Clark?

Text: FIG assigns as error the admission to evidence of the videotape deposition of Arthur M. Clark, M.D. FIG contends the deposition was cumulative, had no probative value and invoked the sympathy and passion of the jury. Britton's counsel argued that Dr. Clark's testimony was relevant to the question of whether or not Britton was physically capable of setting the fire and also relevant for testimony concerning the condition of Britton's lungs immediately after the fire, the lack of smoke in his lungs, offered in support of Britton's contention that he did not set the fire. Britton responds that the videotape deposition was edited by the District Court to delete the portion showing Britton's diseased and enlarged heart. The edited version was submitted to the jury without an objection by FIG, and under a cautionary instruction from the court that the video was not to be considered for Britton's damages, but only to show whether he was physically able to participate in the fire in the way that FIG claimed he did. The district judge in his order denying the post-trial motions of FIG found the objection to have been waived. Sections 103(a) and (a)(1), M.R.Evid. are in accord. We find no error on this point.