Court Opinion

ID: 9847336
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:58:03.088238+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:07.501534
License: Public Domain

ROSE, Justice,
specially concurring.
I concur in the disposition of this appeal by the majority with respect to the proof of appellants’ negligence, the personal liability of Ron Ely, and the propriety of the damages award. I cannot agree, however, that the Wyoming Rules of Evidence concerning expert testimony govern the valuation testimony of a property owner who qualifies to give an opinion solely by reason of his ownership of the property evaluated. In my judgment, Rule 701, W.R.E. controls the receipt of opinion testimony from a property owner who lacks the specialized knowledge of an expert:
“If the witness is not testifying as an expert, his testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are (a) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (b) helpful to a clear understanding of his testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.”
In Weathers v. State, Wyo., 652 P.2d 970 (1982), we reviewed the law pertaining to opinion testimony by a property owner and held that the owner’s familiarity with the property permits him to give an opinion as to its value even though he may not possess sufficient knowledge or skill to testify as an expert on the subject:
“This court, in a long line of cases, has adopted that generally accepted view that owners are presumed to have a special knowledge of the value of their property and are qualified to express their opinion concerning it. Sagebrush Development, Inc. v. Moehrke, Wyo., 604 P.2d 198 (1979); Town of Douglas v. Nielsen, Wyo., 409 P.2d 240 (1965); Blessing v. Pittman, 70 Wyo. 416, 251 P.2d 243 (1952); Shikany v. Salt Creek Trans. Co., 48 Wyo. 190, 45 P.2d 645 (1935). In Shikany, id., a case where the issue of competency was similar to the one before us, this court, after an exhaustive discussion of the policy behind allowing such opinion evidence, concluded that the owner of a chattel could testify as to its value without demonstrating special expertise. * ⅜ 4 Therefore, an owner can testify as to his opinion of market value without having a particular expertise; the weight given to such testimony is left to the jury.” 652 P.2d at 973.
Accordingly, the criteria established by Rule 701 govern the admissibility of a property owner’s valuation testimony. Such testimony must be based on the owner’s perceptions of the property rather than on hearsay or other inadmissible evidence which may support the opinion testimony of an expert witness.1 This condition does not unduly restrict the admissibility of lay opinion testimony, however, since trial courts are directed to construe Rule 701 liberally to permit such testimony. Brockett v. Prater, Wyo., 675 P.2d 638 (1984); McCabe v. R.A. Manning Construction Co., Inc., Wyo., 674 P.2d 699 (1983). Gaps in the lay witness’ knowledge or understanding of the subject go to the weight to be accorded the testimony, not to its admissibility. Brockett v. Prater, supra.
Given the nature of valuation testimony offered by a property owner and the distinctions made by the Rules of Evidence with respect to lay and expert opinion testimony, the property owner should be treated as a lay witness whose opinions, to be admissible, must assist the trier of fact and derive from the witness’ perceptions of the property, including its purchase price. In the case at bar, appellee’s opinions of the *717value of her house and personal property were based primarily on her knowledge of their purchase price and condition. Her testimony based on incompetent evidence has been disregarded by this court in reversing the judgment pertaining to damages to real property. Since the court’s decision does not depend on a conclusion that the property owner qualifies as an expert witness, I join in the disposition of this appeal.

. Rule 703, W.R.E., pertains to expert opinion testimony and provides:
"The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to him at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence.”