Opinion ID: 2334116
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Exclusion of Dr. Diethrich's Deposition

Text: McCoy argues that the trial court should have permitted the deposition of Dr. Edward Diethrich, founder of the Arizona Heart Institute, to be read, or alternatively, continued the case. McCoy asserts that he was deprived of one of his two primary experts on the eve of trial, which was prejudicial to his case. The Montgomerys, in reply, state that the trial court properly excluded Diethrich's deposition because of his misconduct and refusal to respond to questions. On February 28, 2006, a video deposition was taken of Diethrich in Phoenix, Arizona. During cross-examination by counsel for the Montgomerys, Diethrich refused to answer questions regarding his litigation history, including questions concerning multiple malpractice lawsuits that had been filed against him. Diethrich also refused to answer questions concerning conflicts with the Arizona State Medical Board and an investigation by the FDA about a claim that he was using improper and unsafe medical devices. After being asked about a complaint that had been filed against him, Diethrich objected and asked for a recess. The circuit court's order states, [i]t was not disputed by Dale Garrett, counsel for McCoy, that he warned Diethrich that his continual refusal to answer questions concerning his litigation history, may, in fact, cause the Court to exclude his entire evidence deposition. The circuit court found that many of the questions counsel for the Montgomerys wanted to ask Diethrich were proper impeachment questions. At the March 7, 2006, pre-trial hearing, the court stated: I am not going to continue this case. After listening to the tape and the arguments, the two alternatives that I considered were striking the testimony in its entirety by way of deposition but permitting the doctor to testify in court if he wants to, whereby he can still be that expert witness for Dr. McCoy but must come to court, or playing the tape in its entirety and letting Mr. McDaniel, by way of proffer I guess, tell the jury what he wanted to ask and what he thought the answers would be. I just do not think that idea is a proper remedy. The motion to strike is granted. We agree with the circuit court that playing the tape in its entirety and letting counsel for the Montgomerys tell the jury what he wanted to ask and what he thought the answers would be would not have been the proper remedy. The Montgomerys were not able to properly cross-examine Diethrich because he refused to answer questions, and playing the tape in its entirety would not remedy this problem. Further, even though the circuit court excluded the deposition, it permitted Diethrich to come and testify in court in Arkansas. McCoy argues that Diethrich, who lives in Arizona, was already scheduled to be in Colorado at the time of trial for a seminar. The Montgomerys contend McCoy produced no evidence to support his assertion that Diethrich could not testify in Arkansas. Based upon our standard of review, we hold that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by striking Diethrich's deposition testimony, and allowing him to testify live at trial, thereby giving McCoy a second chance to introduce his expert's testimony. Because we affirm the judgment entered against McCoy, we need not reach his argument that judgment against Cooper Clinic, P.A. should be reversed. For the reasons stated above, we find no basis for reversing the judgment against McCoy. Accordingly, we affirm the jury's verdict. Affirmed. DANIELSON, J., Not Participating.