Opinion ID: 1631067
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Toxicology experts Carmen McIntire and Michael Weaver

Text: ś 16. Carla also argues that the trial court erred by denying her motion in limine pertaining to evidence by R & R's expert, Michael Weaver, that Preston had methamphetamine in his blood at the time of the collision. [2] R & R asserts that this testimony supports its theory of how the accident occurred. The trial court denied Carla's motion in limine to exclude this evidence on the same basis as it denied Woolf, the probative value of evidence concerning methamphetamine in the blood of the deceased at the time of the accident was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice pursuant to Rule 403. ś 17. Two toxicology experts were qualified and testified concerning Preston's blood test. Carmen McIntire (McIntire), a Mississippi Crime Laboratory toxicologist, testified for Carla. Michael Weaver (Weaver), a former Mississippi Crime Lab toxicologist, testified for the defense. At issue was McIntire's report concerning Preston's blood test. She testified that she had performed two tests on Preston's blood: (1) an immunoassay test, and (2) a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer test (mass spectra). Based on her analysis, McIntire stated that she had found no crystal meth in Preston's blood. Her report showed that Preston had only caffeine in his blood. However, she stated that the results of the mass spectra test had some features that were indicative of methamphetamine, but they didn't meet criteria needed to be able to say for sure that that's what was in fact present. So I reported it negative. McIntire also testified to the effects of methamphetamine, an initial feeling of euphoria and excitability followed by feelings of depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and eventual unconsciousness. She also stated that a person could have delayed perception as a result of the drug use. ś 18. Weaver, on the other hand, testified that in his opinion, methamphetamine was present in Preston's blood. Weaver said that he based his opinion on the ions present in Preston's blood and the testimony from Woolf that Preston had smoked crystal meth. He also testified concerning the effects of methamphetamine on a person's body. His testimony on the effects of the drug was similar to that of McIntire. ś 19. The trial court did not err by admitting Weaver's expert testimony on whether Preston had methamphetamine in his blood. Both experts were qualified, and Carla did not object to Weaver being qualified as an expert. Once a witness is qualified as an expert to render expert testimony, then it is within the province of the trier of fact to give weight and credibility to the testimony. Palmer v. Anderson Infirmary Benevolent Ass'n, 656 So.2d 790, 796 (Miss.1995). This Court has held that expert opinions are only advisory in nature and are not binding on a trier of fact. Flight Line, Inc. v. Tanksley, 608 So.2d 1149, 1166 (Miss. 1992). The jury may credit them or not as they appear entitled, weighing and judging the expert's opinion in the context of all of the evidence in the case and `the jury's own general knowledge of affairs. . . .' Id. (quoting Schoppe v. Applied Chems. Div., 418 So.2d 833, 837 (Miss.1982)). Thus, the trial court did not err by admitting Weaver's testimony concerning Preston's blood, as it was relevant, it was more probative than prejudicial, and it was supported by Woolf's testimony. To the extent that Weaver's testimony differed from that of McIntire's, that was an issue of credibility to be resolved by the jury. Flight Line, 608 So.2d at 1166. This issue is without merit.