Opinion ID: 2407465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: error in changing deposition testimony?

Text: Plaintiff also alleges error on the part of the court in permitting counsel for the defendant to change the wording of a deposition of Mr. Grime and that part of the testimony which read: Q In what direction was this truck from the northbound lanes of traffic on Highway 71? A West. Q Facing west? A Yes, sir. In a conference held out of the hearing of the jury, counsel for defendant Watkins stated: MR. BROWN: I would like to state for the court and record that this is the one correction in this deposition that should be made, and if I had time I would have had the reporter do it, but I did not have time. The question I actually asked at page 12, after the first question was asked, `In what direction was this truck from the northbound lanes of traffic on Highway 71?' The answer was `West', and my question was, `Facing east', and she transcribed it `Facing west'. THE COURT: You may, if it was your question. We all know it was facing east, and I think Mr. Hale would stipulate to that change, but if he doesn't that is up to him. MR. BROWN: Do you want to so stipulate? MR. HALE: No, Mr. Brown. I have answered that before. MR. BROWN: Would I have the right to explain that at the time to the jury? THE COURT: Yes, you may. When you read the question that was actually asked. Read the question the way it was transcribed. MR. BROWN: I will. Thereafter, and before the jury the following testimony was adduced: Q In what direction was this truck from the northbound lanes of traffic on Highway 71? A West. Q Facing west? At this point Mr. Brown addressed the court as follows: With leave of court, my question actually was `Facing east?', and the reporter transcribed it `Facing west?'; therefore, my question would be, `Facing east?', and the answer `Yes, sir'. Q Was the truck moving or stopped when you first saw it? A It was stopped. Supreme Court Rule 57.22 provides in part as follows:    Any changes in form or substance which the witness desires to make shall be entered upon the deposition by the officer with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making them;   . In Loveland v. Rowland (Mo.) 361 S.W. 2d 685, 688, Judge Hyde wrote: The emphasized part of this rule clearly means that any changes shall be entered on the deposition by the officer before whom the deposition was taken and not by the witness, his lawyer or anyone else. It was manifestly erroneous to permit counsel for defendant Watkins to so change the deposition of the witness Grime in the instant case.