Opinion ID: 1354432
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Testimony of Mark Whitaker

Text: For its second point on appeal, NationsBank argues that the trial court erred in allowing the testimony of Mark Whitaker, a Little Rock Plans Examiner Administrator, regarding NationsBank's alleged failure to comply with applicable building codes during its 1992 remodeling of the fourteenth floor. NationsBank contends that because Whitaker was specifically declared a lay witness, his testimony should have been limited to only those matters within his personal knowledge. The decision whether to admit relevant evidence, opinion testimony or otherwise, rests in the sound discretion of the trial court, and our standard of review of such a decision is whether the trial court has abused its discretion. Arthur v. Zearley, 337 Ark. 125, 992 S.W.2d 67 (1999); Marts v. State, 332 Ark. 628, 968 S.W.2d 41 (1998). Prior to trial, NationsBank filed a motion in limine attempting to exclude the testimony of Whitaker under Arkansas Rules of Evidence 401, 403, and 602. NationsBank argued that Whitaker was going to testify that the Worthen Bank Building did not meet the requirements of the city's building codes, despite the fact that the city issued a certificate of occupancy for the building, and that Whitaker's testimony was not based upon matters within his personal knowledge. The trial court denied this motion, ruling that Whitaker could testify as a lay witness. The court stated that Murray Guard's counsel could elicit testimony about discussions between Whitaker or one of his employees and bank officials regarding remodeling of the building in 1992. Relevant evidence is evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Ark. R. Evid 401. This court has repeatedly held, however, that a trial judge may exclude evidence, although relevant, if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Ellis v. Price, 337 Ark. 542, 990 S.W.2d 543 (1999); see also Ark. R. Evid. 403. Evidence regarding fire-safety measures on the fourteenth floor are certainly relevant to the issue of NationsBank's own liability. The question then becomes whether the probative value of Whitaker's testimony was substantially outweighed by unfair prejudice. NationsBank argues that it was highly prejudicial to allow a city employee to testify about applicable code regulations. This argument is without merit, however, because NationsBank fails to demonstrate how it was prejudiced by Whitaker's testimony. Indeed, NationsBank was allowed to cross-examine Whitaker with regard to the fact that the city ultimately issued a certificate of occupancy to NationsBank. Likewise, we reject NationsBank's contention that Whitaker testified about matters outside of his personal knowledge. Rule 602 provides that a witness may not testify to a matter unless evidence is introduced sufficient to support a finding that the witness has personal knowledge of the matter. The rule further provides that evidence to prove personal knowledge is not limited to the witness's own testimony. Mitchell v. Mitchell, 28 Ark.App. 295, 773 S.W.2d 853 (1989). Here, Whitaker had been in his position as a Plans Examiner Administrator since 1989. As part of his job, he was involved in reviewing plans submitted by NationsBank in conjunction with remodeling the building's fourteenth floor. Whitaker's testimony was indeed limited to discussions that took place between his office and bank officials. At trial, Whitaker read for the jury provisions of the building code cited in a letter written by Charles Toland, one of Whitaker's employees, and sent to a contractor after reviewing the remodeling plans for the fourteenth floor. The trial court allowed such testimony over the objection of NationsBank because Whitaker's position with the Planning Commission made his looking at code violations, drafting reports, and assessing the code, a part of his job. The trial court, however, precluded Whitaker from rendering opinions about whether the building satisfied the applicable codes or whether the bank was negligent. Accordingly, we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Whitaker's testimony.