Opinion ID: 2318897
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Marshall's Expert Testimony

Text: Brown next argues that Tully, Marshall's expert witness, was not qualified to testify as an expert pursuant to Rule 702 of the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence. This Court will not disturb a trial justice's ruling on the admissibility of expert testimony absent an abuse of discretion. See Raimbeault v. Takeuchi Manufacturing (U.S.), Ltd., 772 A.2d 1056, 1061-62 (R.I.2001) (citing Gallucci v. Humbyrd, 709 A.2d 1059, 1064 (R.I.1998)). Pursuant to Rule 702: If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of fact or opinion. An expert need not have a license in a narrow specialty, nor hold a particular title, as long as his or her `knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education' can deliver a helpful opinion to the fact-finder. Raimbeault, 772 A.2d at 1061 (quoting Rule 702 and citing Owens v. Payless Cashways, Inc., 670 A.2d 1240, 1244 (R.I.1996)). [O]nce an expert has shown that the methodology or principle underlying his or her testimony is scientifically valid and that it `fits' an issue in the case, the expert's testimony should be put to the trier of fact to determine how much weight to accord the evidence. Id. (quoting DiPetrillo v. Dow Chemical Co., 729 A.2d at 689-90 (R.I.1999)). We conclude that Tully possessed the knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education required by Rule 702 and his testimony was relevant, appropriate, [or] of assistance to the jury. Raimbeault, 772 A.2d at 1062 (quoting DiPetrillo, 729 A.2d at 686). The trial justice conducted a lengthy hearing in his function as gatekeeper and properly evaluated Tully's qualifications as well as the relevance and reliability of his methodology. Raimbeault, 772 A.2d at 1062 (citing DiPetrillo, 729 A.2d at 686). Thus, the trial justice did not abuse his discretion in qualifying Tully as an expert on the construction and value of Pizzitola. [3]