Opinion ID: 1240069
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Exclusion of Expert Opinion.

Text: Stallings intended to call Dr. McCabe, an otolaryngologist, to testify as to the severity of the injury to his ear as a result of Taylor's assault on him the evening of June 28, 1993. The court precluded the testimony based on the State's relevancy objection. We conclude the court abused its discretion by excluding the proposed expert testimony. Expert testimony as to the injury was clearly relevant to Stallings' claim of self-defense. Although he and Gully testified as to the severity of the injury resulting from Taylor's punches, expert testimony would be admissible to corroborate the lay testimony. Upon retrial Stallings should be permitted to call and offer expert testimony regarding the nature and extent of the injury resulting from Taylor's assault on him. REVERSED AND REMANDED.