Opinion ID: 398287
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Admissions Against Interest

Text: 41 The appellant next claims a recorded statement of the appellee, offered as substantive evidence of the admission of a party opponent pursuant to F.R.E., Rule 801(d)(2)(A), was improperly excluded. 12 42 After receiving notice that the appellee was submitting insurance claims for coverage under the policy the appellant retained the services of an independent adjusting firm in the city where the appellee lived. The independent adjuster interviewed the appellee regarding the damage claims he was filing and with the consent of the appellee, electronically recorded the statement. When the recorded statement was offered as evidence of an admission of a party opponent, the district court refused to admit the evidence on the grounds it was not subject to cross-examination at the time made. 43 For statements of a party to be admissible, there is no requirement they be subject to cross-examination at the time made. 4 Weinstein's Evidence 801(d) (2)(01) (1979); 4 Wigmore, Evidence 1048, n. 8 (3d ed. 1940). Rule 801(d)(2)(A) is in accord with the traditional rule that admissions of a party opponent are admitted as substantive evidence of the fact stated. United States v. Cline, 570 F.2d 731 (8th Cir. 1978). 44 There is little doubt the recorded statements of the appellee can be construed as admissions. An admission must be offered against a party, not for him, Coughlin v. Capitol Cement Co., 571 F.2d 290, 306 (5th Cir. 1978), although the statement need not have been against the party's interest at the time it was made. United States v. Rios Ruiz, 579 F.2d 670, 676 (1st Cir. 1978). An admission must be contrary to a party's position at trial. Butler v. Southern Pacific Co., 431 F.2d 77, 80 (5th Cir. 1970). 45 At trial the appellee testified he did not have any knowledge the paint used on the bridge would stay in a liquid form in the air. Contrary to this testimony, his prior recorded statement indicated he knew the tung oil, the base used for the paint, would not dry for some time and the aluminum material in the paint caused it to be very light and carry on air currents. The appellee also testified at trial that he had not discussed stopping the spray painting and beginning to brush paint. However, his recorded statement indicated changing to brush painting had been considered and rejected for purposes of expediency. 46 In these instances, the prior recorded statements were contrary to the appellee's position at trial and should have been admitted as substantive evidence.