Opinion ID: 157370
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Challenged District Court Rulings

Text: 9 Before the commencement of the trial in federal court, the district judge heard from the parties regarding the pendency of the state court proceedings but declined to dismiss or abstain from hearing Mr. Rienhardt's suit pending the outcome of those cases. See Aplts' App. in No. 96-2161 at A-62 to A-67. At trial, the Kellys attempted to offer testimony that, they claim, showed their character not to have a disposition to exert undue influence. See id. at A-111. The district court ultimately refused to admit this testimony, concluding that the Federal Rules of Evidence mandated the exclusion of character testimony offered in civil cases to prove that a party acted in conformity with that character trait. See id. at A-116. After trial, Mr. Rienhardt moved for costs associated with prosecuting his case. The clerk of court denied $893.10 of Mr. Rienhardt's litigation costs but ordered the Kellys to pay the remainder, totaling $9,088.66. See Rec. in No. 97-2143 vol. I, doc. 93. The Kellys applied to the district court for review of the clerk's order. See id. at doc. 94. The district court vacated the clerk's order and awarded Mr. Rienhardt $9,981.16, his full costs request. See id. at doc. 95. The Kellys appeal these rulings.