Opinion ID: 877547
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the majority rationale for exclusion of the evidence

Text: Without any analysis, the majority collects the following evidence under one umbrella and implicitly declares it inadmissible by application of the parol evidence rule: ... The District Court's findings and conclusions are clearly based on the testimony of the owner that she did not intend to give the broker an exclusive listing; that she had previously given listings to other agencies which were still in effect, one of which was produced and admitted in evidence; and that the broker had written `nonexclusive' on her copy of the contract. She also called Mr. Van Lueschene who testified that `nonexclusive' was written on her copy of the agreement. Her copy of the written agreement was never produced; she testified that she had destroyed it after her home had been vandalized and molasses and ketchup had been poured on it. With the exception of a prior and existing listing of the property with another real estate agency, all this evidence was objected to under the parol evidence rule and the objection was taken under advisement by the court. (Emphasis added.) Only once does the majority refer to the parol evidence rule (section 28-2-905, MCA), and never to the exceptions contained in the same statute. They state: The parol evidence rule generally provides that the terms of a written agreement cannot be altered or contradicted by oral testimony subject to certain well-recognized exceptions. See section 28-2-905, MCA. (Emphasis added.) After summarizing the evidence that apparently violates the parol evidence rule (previously discussed), and never setting out the exceptions to the parol evidence rule, the opinion states: Here the parol evidence directly contradicts the plain and unambiguous language of the written instrument; it does not fall within any recognized exception permitting its admission in evidence, and is clearly inadmissible ... (Emphasis added.) I find such analysis and rationale to be seriously defective.