Opinion ID: 1704603
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Should Luke have been allowed to testify about damages and repairs to automobiles, and whether vehicles were repairable or total losses?

Text: ¶ 33. When Luke testified about these topics, he was reciting information contained in the investigative files compiled by the NICB member insurance companies. Logan objected to Luke's reading from these insurance records, arguing that they were not sufficiently authenticated and that they lacked proper sponsorship. At no time during or prior to trial did Logan object on Sixth Amendment grounds. Citing M.R.E. 803(6) and finding that these records were kept in the regularly conducted business activities of the NICB and its member insurance companies, the trial court allowed Luke to testify from them, rather than requiring the adjusters who compiled the information contained therein to introduce them. As the record supports a finding that the insurance files were prepared in the ordinary course of business and were trustworthy, and as Logan failed to object on Sixth Amendment confrontation clause grounds when this evidence was introduced, the trial court's decision to allow Luke to introduce this evidence was proper under Kettle and Ellis.