Opinion ID: 889792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Issue Two: Did the District Court abuse its discretion in excluding the physical copy of the screen shots, but in allowing Williams to testify about the statements Greg made to her?

Text: ¶ 27 Schindlers filed a motion in limine to prevent USAA from presenting any evidence of the screen shots because (1) USAA failed to disclose a copy of the screen shots to Greg within thirty days of his request, pursuant to § 33-15-402(3), MCA, and (2) USAA failed to have the screen shots approved by the Commissioner, pursuant to § 33-1-501, MCA. The District Court excluded the physical copy of the screen shots from evidence on the basis that USAA did not comply with § 33-15-402(3), MCA. However, the District Court permitted Williams to testify as to her . . . recollection of [Greg's] statements. ¶ 28 On appeal, Schindlers assert the District Court erred in not excluding all evidence of the screen shots, written or oral, pursuant to § 33-1-501, MCA. Because the physical copy of the screen shots was excluded, we only address whether the District Court erred in permitting Williams to testify. ¶ 29 A district court retains broad discretion in determining whether evidence is relevant and admissible, and we will not overturn its evidentiary determinations absent an abuse of discretion. Rice v. C.I. Lanning, 2004 MT 237, ¶ 23, 322 Mont. 487, 97 P.3d 580. All relevant evidence is admissible, subject to other rules of evidence, including hearsay. M.R. Evid. 402, 802; State v. Brasda, 2003 MT 374, ¶ 20, 319 Mont. 146, 82 P.3d 922. Out of court statements that are admissions of a party opponent are admissible as an exception to the hearsay rule. M.R. Evid. 801(d)(2); Heltborg v. Modern Mach., 244 Mont. 24, 39, 795 P.2d 954, 963 (1990). Applicable here, Montana Rule of Evidence 801(d)(2) provides, in relevant part, that a statement is not hearsay if [t]he statement is offered against a party and is (A) the party's own statement, in either an individual or representative capacity, or (B) a statement of which the party has manifested an adoption or belief in its truth. . . . Greg's statements to Williams meet both subsections (A) and (B) of Rule 801(d)(2), as he made the statements to Williams over the telephone and subsequently received the written policy containing such statements and failed to notify USAA of any errors contained in the policy. The District Court appropriately permitted Williams to testify as to her recollection of Greg's statements.