Opinion ID: 2354905
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Evidence of costs of cover

Text: Callier argues that Cives did not produce proper evidence of its costs of cover. At trial Martin Keniston, a Cives accountant, testified to Cives' costs of cover. In preparation for trial Mr. Keniston put together an exhibit listing Cives' costs. This list was ruled inadmissible as hearsay. Because the summary exhibit was excluded, Keniston used it only as a device to explain the basis for his calculations. Keniston testified that he had all of the original records and data with him at trial. At the close of Keniston's testimony counsel for Callier moved to strike his calculations as hearsay. The record does not reveal how the Superior Court ruled on this motion. On appeal Callier argues that the Best Evidence Rule, M.R.Evid. 1002, requires that the original cost records should have been introduced. Callier's trial objection on hearsay grounds does not preserve a best evidence objection on appeal. See M.R.Evid. 103(a)(1). A specific objection preserves only that ground for appeal, whether the objection is sustained or overruled. See Lee v. Oppenheimer, 34 Me. 181, 185 (1852) (Every position respecting the admissibility of testimony should be distinctly presented to the presiding Judge for decision, before it can be made the subject of exception [now appeal].) All objections not so specifically stated are held to be waived. Michaud v. Steckino, 390 A.2d 524, 531-32 (Me.1978). The hearsay objection, which Callier properly preserved, does not warrant the exclusion of Keniston's testimony. M.R. Evid. 1006 provides that: The contents of voluminous writings, recordings, or photographs which cannot conveniently be examined in court may be presented in the form of a chart, summary or calculation. The original shall be made available for examination or copying, or both, by other parties at a reasonable time and place. . . . . Keniston brought the originals to court and Callier does not argue that it was denied access to these materials. Under this rule, therefore, Keniston's testimony based upon his review of the voluminous Cives records was admissible to show the costs of cover. Also, under M.R.Evid. 703 an expert, such as Mr. Keniston, may testify to conclusions on the basis of materials made known to him whether or not those materials were themselves admitted in evidence, where, as here, the data are of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences on the subject. Therefore, we find no reversible error in any of the issues raised on the cross appeal.