Opinion ID: 205111
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Bauer's Testimony

Text: Snodgrass contends that the district court should have permitted Bauer to testify about Carlin's hostile relationship with Snodgrass. We review the district court's decision to exclude this testimony for abuse of discretion. United States v. Price, 516 F.3d 597, 603 (7th Cir.2008). During an offer of proof, Bauer testified that although he did not personally know why Carlin and Snodgrass' relationship deteriorated, he had heard that Carlin cut off Snodgrass' power, caused a septic tank to backflow into Snodgrass' residence, and ripped out Snodgrass' propane line. The district court judge ruled that Bauer could not testify about these events or the breakdown of Snodgrass and Carlin's relationship because it was based upon hearsay and speculation and not of personal knowledge. Report of Proceedings of Trial Testimony at 189, United States v. Snodgrass, (No. 09-30039). Snodgrass argues that this ruling was improper because the judge improperly excluded testimony on an entire subject area instead of ruling on every question when it was asked. We reject this argument. First, there is no rule which imposes upon a judge the tedious task of ruling on every question after it is asked, as opposed to prohibiting testimony about a particular hearsay matter ex ante. Second, Snodgrass mischaracterized the district court's ruling. The judge did not prohibit every conceivable witness from testifying about Carlin and Snodgrass' relationship, thereby excluding an entire subject area; he merely excluded Bauer's hearsay testimony and ruled that Bauer could not testify about facts not within his personal knowledge. This ruling is consistent with the Federal Rules of Evidence. See Fed. R.Evid. 802; Fed.R.Evid. 602; Russell v. Acme-Evans Co., 51 F.3d 64, 68 (7th Cir. 1995). We therefore affirm the district court, finding no abuse of discretion.