Opinion ID: 1743268
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Buxton's Testimony Was Admissible.

Text: Although our resolution of Perry's assignments of error with regard to Wagner's testimony disposes of the appeal, we will consider Perry's assignment of error with regard to Buxton's testimony, because issues related to Buxton's testimony are likely to recur on remand for a new trial. An appellate court may, at its discretion, discuss issues unnecessary to the disposition of an appeal where those issues are likely to recur during further proceedings. In re Estate of Rosso, 270 Neb. 323, 701 N.W.2d 355 (2005). Perry asserts that the court erred in permitting Buxton to testify regarding the cause of the fire after Buxton acknowledged that he had not completed a proper investigation. Specifically, Perry argues on appeal that Buxton testified that the cause of the fire was undetermined, which is a technical conclusion that one can come to only after having completed a proper investigation pursuant to NFPA 921. We find no merit to Perry's arguments with regard to Buxton's testimony. Contrary to Perry's characterization of Buxton's testimony, our review of the record indicates that Buxton testified that he was not able to give an opinion as to cause. Buxton did not testify that he came to the technical conclusion that the cause was undetermined. Buxton did testify that he had reviewed the other experts' testimony and that in his opinion, such experts did not have adequate information to form their opinions. Further, the court did not allow Buxton to answer Durable's question of whether he thought any investigator could have determined cause. The thrust of Buxton's testimony therefore was not to give an opinion as to cause but to critique the investigations conducted and the opinions formed by Perry's experts. Testimony critiquing the procedures and opinions of another expert is an acceptable form of expert testimony. See Lincoln Tel. & Tel. Co. v. County Board of Equalization, 209 Neb. 465, 308 N.W.2d 515 (1981). Under the standards set forth above with regard to determining the existence of expert testimony, we determine that the record reflects that Buxton had sufficient knowledge, skill, training, and experience to establish himself as an expert in fire investigation and that Buxton was qualified to testify as an expert witness on issues regarding fire investigation. See State v. Mason, 271 Neb. 16, 709 N.W.2d 638 (2006). Because Buxton was qualified to testify as an expert in fire investigation, he was qualified to critique the investigations conducted and the opinions offered by other witnesses in this case. We therefore conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Buxton's expert testimony, and Perry's assignment of error relative to Buxton's testimony is without merit.