Opinion ID: 2551687
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Sale to TRIACQ Corp.

Text: The Hodes contend that the district court erred when it allowed the buyers to present evidence of TSI's sale to TRIACQ Corp. The sale occurred in 1995 and involved 85% of TSI's stock. The Hodes emphasize remoteness, arguing that evidence of the 1995 sale is irrelevant to TSI's value in 1993 when the contract was allegedly breached. Rulings on admissibility of evidence fall within the sound discretion of the district court. One attacking such an evidentiary ruling must show an abuse of discretion. An abuse of discretion exists only when no reasonable person would take the view adopted by the district court. Enlow v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 249 Kan. 732, Syl. ¶ 9, 822 P.2d 617 (1991). The remoteness argument lacks merit. Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency in reason to prove any material fact. K.S.A. 60-401(b). The issue of damages was a material fact here. The amount that a purchaser is willing to pay for a company in the marketplace demonstrates the actual value of the company. Here, a purchaser offered and actually paid money for TSI only 2 years after sellers allegedly breached their contract to sell the company to buyers. The remoteness of the sale goes to the weight of the evidence; not its admissibility. The district court allowed the sellers wide latitude in explaining changes that occurred during the 2-year interim. The jury was free to consider the time elapsed and the changes that took place during that time. The district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing this evidence.