Opinion ID: 1669438
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the trial court err in preventing the words curse and witchcraft from being used at trial?

Text: ¶ 39. Prior to the surgery, and during the subsequent course of Clein's treatment, there are entries in his medical records which were introduced into evidence by agreement. Clein stated that he believed his dead mother, who practiced witchcraft, had placed a curse on him, which resulted in his amputation and condition. At trial, the judge ruled that the use of the words curse or witchcraft could not be used or referred to because of the alleged prejudicial effect the words might have upon the jury. ¶ 40. The plaintiff opened the door to this inquiry by offering into evidence his medical records, without redacting the records. There are numerous references to Clein's belief in a curse within the medical records. Evidence, even if otherwise inadmissible, can be properly presented where a party has opened the door. Crenshaw v. State, 520 So.2d 131, 134 (Miss.1988). In this case, a significant component of plaintiff's claims are related to emotional distress and mental anguish, i.e. psychological or psychic injuries. As such the defense was denied an opportunity to legitimately explore the plaintiff's own statements regarding the origin and/or source, cause, and extent of his psychological injury, agitation, and disturbance. ¶ 41. The court does have discretion to exclude evidence if its probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Miss. R. Evid. 403. However, this Court finds that the probative value of exploring the origin and/or source, cause, and extent of his emotional distress, mental anguish, and psychological injury, outweighed the danger of unfair prejudice. Clein alleged that Dr. Blake's procedure caused all three. The defense was thwarted in its attempt to establish by Clein's admissions in his medical records, that he suffered significant pre-existing mental and emotional issues totally unrelated to Dr. Blake's surgery, which was down-played in his oral testimony. The plaintiff's prior statements are certainly probative regarding the origin and/or source, cause, and extent of his claimed mental and emotional problems, including pre and post surgery. This issue was both relevant and probative concerning causation and aggravation of the plaintiff's pre-existing mental condition, as will be discussed in Issue VIII. The trial court erred in prohibiting the defendant from developing facts through the cross-examination of the plaintiff and other witnesses, and in prohibiting documentary evidence, regarding the origin and/or source, cause and extent of his mental anguish and emotional distress, and finally erred in prohibiting the defense from arguing their theory to the jury with proper instructions.