Opinion ID: 734206
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Prior Sexual History

Text: 11 Judd contends that admission of evidence of her prior sexual history warrants a reversal of the judgment against her. To find error warranting reversal, however, we must find not only that Judd made a timely objection, as previously noted, but also that a substantial right was affected. See Fed.R.Evid. 103(d). 12 Judd argues that her motion in limine to exclude under Rule 412 evidence of her prior sexual history was sufficient to preserve the issue for appeal. We previously have held that, as a general proposition, an overruled motion in limine does not preserve a party's objection for purposes of appeal; a timely objection at trial is required. Collins v. Wayne Corp., 621 F.2d 777, 784 (5th Cir.1980). Under certain circumstances, however, a motion in limine may be adequate to preserve an error for appeal if a good reason exists not to object at trial. Rojas v. Richardson, 703 F.2d 186, 189 (5th Cir.) (citing Reyes v. Missouri Pac. R.R., 589 F.2d 791, 793 n. 2 (5th Cir.1979)), vacated on other grounds, 713 F.2d 116 (5th Cir.1983). In Reyes, our predecessor circuit found a motion in limine sufficient to preserve the movant's objection to the admission of certain evidence when the movant, as a matter of trial strategy, presented the objectionable evidence himself on direct examination to minimize its prejudicial effect. Reyes, 589 F.2d at 793 n. 2. In rejecting the argument that the movant had waived the error, we determined that the plaintiff had shown that his introduction of objectionable evidence on direct examination was an attempt to soften the blow of damaging information and, therefore, represented valid trial strategy. Id. 13 In this case, Judd presented evidence of her prior sexual history on direct examination only after the court overruled her motion in limine to exclude the evidence and suggested at trial that Rule 412 was inapplicable. We find that this constituted valid trial strategy and, as a result, that Judd did not waive her objection. See Rojas, 703 F.2d at 189 (An objection to one's own testimony is an absurdity.... This Circuit consequently found the offensive use of damaging information to fall outside the general rule requiring a timely objection.). We conclude that Judd's motion in limine preserved the issue for appeal. 14 To warrant reversal, Judd must establish also that a substantial right was affected by the admission of the evidence. Rule 412(a) provides that evidence offered to prove that any alleged victim engaged in other sexual behavior will generally be excluded. Fed.R.Evid. 412(a). Rule 412(b) provides an exception to exclusion when the probative value substantially outweighs the danger of harm to any victim and of unfair prejudice to any party. Fed.R.Evid. 412(b). 15 Judd contends that, under the balancing test of Rule 412(b), evidence of her prior sexual history should have been excluded because its probative value failed to outweigh substantially the unfair prejudice toward her. A central issue of the case, however, is whether Judd contracted genital herpes from Rodman. Expert testimony revealed that the herpes virus can be dormant for long periods of time and the infected person can be asymptomatic. Consequently, evidence of prior sexual relationships and the type of protection used during sexual intercourse was highly relevant to Rodman's liability. The court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of Judd's prior sexual history. 8