Opinion ID: 3180361
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cumulative Evidence Analysis

Text: Mr. Ford’s deposition testimony was cumulative of Mr. Gentry’s and Mr. Mize’s trial testimony. All three testified to the same basic facts: Mr. Ford drove the Moffett into the chicken house toward his blind spot; Mr. Gentry guided Mr. Ford from the front left of the Moffett; Mr. Mize spotted him from its back right; and Mr. Ford hit Jimmy. The inferences of fault from Mr. Ford’s testimony are also cumulative of the inferences from Mr. Gentry’s and Mr. Mize’s testimony. First, all three men’s testimony could suggest Jimmy was at fault because they all said he stepped into the Moffett’s path as it was moving toward him. Second, their testimony could suggest Mr. Ford was at fault because he drove directly into his blind spot. Third, their testimony could suggest Mr. Gentry was at fault because he directed Mr. Ford to move forward and then failed to warn him before he hit Jimmy. Fourth, their testimony could suggest Mr. Mize was at fault because he inadequately monitored Mr. Ford and failed to warn him of Jimmy’s movements in time. Mr. Ford additionally suggested Mr. Mize may have “glanced off” 9 In its Rule 59 order, the district court concluded Mr. Ford’s deposition “contained hearsay as to the conduct of [Jimmy] Hill, which hearsay would have been excluded.” Id. at 512. We agree. Mr. Ford testified, for example, that after the accident, Jody Herbert, one of the individuals helping Mr. Gentry with the delivery, told Mr. Ford that Jimmy “was where he didn’t need to be at the time” of impact. Id. at 1413. We agree with the district court that such statements are inadmissible and should be disregarded for the purposes of our harmless error analysis. - 22 - at the moment of the accident. Id. at 1418.10 But Mr. Mize also testified he was “looking all around.” Id. at 992. Finally, Mr. Ford suggested O.K. Farms was at fault for failing to train Mr. Mize to spot Mr. Ford. Mr. Mize also testified O.K. Farms had not trained him how to spot. In short, the facts and inferences available from Mr. Ford’s testimony were cumulative of those from Mr. Gentry’s and Mr. Mize’s trial testimony.11 The exclusion of Mr. Ford’s testimony therefore does not undermine our confidence in the outcome of trial, and we find no prejudice to Hunt’s substantial rights.