Opinion ID: 2276317
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Repressed-Memory Syndrome and Disability Under Section 16-56-116

Text: Barre next asserts that the statute of limitations is tolled by repressed-memory syndrome. He argues repressed-memory syndrome constitutes a disability under section 16-56-116. He also argues that Arkansas Code Annotated section 16-56-130 (Supp.2003) codified the common law, and that this court should adopt the analysis in Phillips v. Sugrue, 800 F.Supp. 789 (E.D.Ark.1992), where the district court recognized the possibility that childhood sexual abuse might give rise to a condition constituting insanity for purposes of section 16-56-116. Phillips alleged she suffered sexual abuse by a priest when she was a minor. The district court noted the injuries alleged and denied the motion for summary judgment, finding that Phillips should be given more time to develop evidence to show that she was insane under section 16-56-116. Repressed-memory syndrome was not discussed in Phillips, and it is not clear whether the victim in that case asserted repressed memory. The district court concluded that conditions arising from childhood sexual abuse might give rise to insanity that would toll the statute of limitations; however, no further analysis was undertaken. Thus, Phillips stands for the proposition that it might be possible to show insanity under section 16-56-116 as a consequence of childhood sexual abuse. Barre also cites this court to Schuman v. Westbrook, 207 Ark. 495, 499, 181 S.W.2d 470, 472 (1944) (quoting Pulaski County v. Hill, 97 Ark. 450, 457, 134 S.W. 973, 975 (1911)), where this court stated that where the insanity renders a person incapable of handling the matter at issue, he or she may be insane with respect to that particular matter. Waggoner v. Atkins, 204 Ark. 264, 271, 162 S.W.2d 55, 58 (1942), is instructive on when insanity will toll the statute of limitations: If the brain has become so affected, irrespective of cause, as to appreciably contracept a person's power to reason, and in consequence the ordinary affairs of life are but dimly reflected on that mirror called mind, it is generally agreed that the impulse to act is not a result of intellectual motivation; hence, the attendant infirmity intervenes and protects one so afflicted from the penalty of conduct in respect of which the power to think and to plan according to accepted formulas is non-existent. Nothing indicates that Barre's power to reason has been affected. Nothing shows he was unable to attend to the ordinary affairs of life. Rather, Barre asserts he simply did not have access to the memories. Repressed-memory syndrome does not satisfy the requirements of insanity under section 16-56-116 because it does not affect the power to reason. Barre also argues that we should adopt the public policy of section 16-56-130 and in the case of victims of childhood sexual abuse interpret section 16-56-116 as extending the limitations period. Barre offers no persuasive argument or authority for the proposition that section 16-56-130 codifies preexisting common law, or that the statute should be applied in this case. Public policy is for the General Assembly to decide, not the courts. Scamardo v. Sparks Reg'l Med. Ctr., 375 Ark. 300, 309, 289 S.W.3d 903, 909 (2008). We further note that Barre initially testified that he lost recall of the abuse before entering high school; however, upon cross-examination, Barre was asked whether he remembered the abuse for one week, one month, one year, fifteen years? Barre responded, No, sir. I can't recall. By his own admission, Barre does not know when he lost recall of the memories. It could have been either before or after he reached the age of majority. Barre must show by a preponderance of the evidence that the statute of limitations was tolled. Reed, supra . Preponderance of the evidence means evidence of greater convincing force and implies an overbalancing in weight. Titan Oil & Gas, Inc. v. Shipley, 257 Ark. 278, 298, 517 S.W.2d 210, 222-23 (1974)(citing Smith v. Magnet Cove Barium Corp., 212 Ark. 491, 206 S.W.2d 442 (1947)). Further, where the evidence tends equally to sustain two inconsistent propositions, the party having the burden of proof cannot prevail. Titan, 257 Ark. at 298, 517 S.W.2d at 223. By Barre's own admission, he cannot show that he suffered repressed-memory syndrome prior to reaching the age of majority. Thus, even if we were to agree that repressed-memory syndrome tolls the statute of limitations, as Barre suggests, it would not toll the statute of limitations in this case.