Opinion ID: 2298911
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Value of the Tractor

Text: Class C theft requires proof that the stolen property has a value more than $1,000 but not more than $5,000. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 362(3)(A) (1983). Defendant argues that the jury could not have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the tractor had a value greater than $1,000. At trial, Eugene Sukeforth, a dealer in tractors, gave his opinion on the value of the stolen tractor over the objection of defense counsel. Defendant contends that Sukeforth was not qualified to give such an opinion. Whether an expert is qualified to testify in the area addressed by his testimony is largely within the discretion of the trial justice. E.N. Nason, Inc. v. Land-Ho Development Corp., 403 A.2d 1173, 1180 (Me.1979). His opinion must be based on sufficient facts to which his specialized knowledge may be applied. Id. Sukeforth testified that he had owned a tractor business for eleven years, in which he has dealt mainly with John Deere tractors. He buys, sells, services and repairs tractors. Sukeforth testified that he had bought and sold models similar to the one stolen and that they increased in value as time passed. He further testified that, several years ago, he lost a purchase to a competitor when he offered only $1,500 to buy a similar tractor. Although he could not remember selling a similar model within the past six months, he thought it probable that he had sold or traded one within the last year. His opinion of value was based on two pictures of the tractor, his past business experience with respect to similar tractors, and the assumption that the tractor was in good working condition. [7] The trial justice did not abuse his discretion in permitting Sukeforth, as an expert witness, to give his opinion on the value of the tractor. Under cross-examination, Sukeforth receded from his original opinion of $2,000 as the value of the tractor and asserted an opinion of $1,000-$2,000. That testimony does not compel a reasonable doubt that the value of the tractor exceeded $1,000. Defendant argues that Sukeforth's change of opinion shows that Sukeforth's estimate was based on speculation. There is no merit in that argument. The degree of certainty with which an expert testifies does not affect the admissibility of his opinion; it may affect the weight to be accorded his testimony. State v. Anderson, 434 A.2d 6, 9 (Me.1981).