Court Opinion

ID: 9863834
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 05:54:56.107381+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:04:21.328187
License: Public Domain

Fontron, J.,
dissenting: I agree that convictions of larceny and receiving stolen property are admissible to impair the credibility of a witness, whether the conviction be for felony or misdemeanor. Hence, as the majority opinion states, the trial court erred in excluding evidence of prior misdemeanor convictions of such character.
However, I cannot say that the exclusion was harmless error in this case. We are furnished no standard, so far as this record is concerned, by which error or lack of error can be gauged. A verdict of substantial size was returned in this case, the major items of which were in recompense of pain, suffering and permanent disability. The plaintiff testified fully and in detail concerning these items of damage. Despite evidence of a corroborating character, I am not persuaded that this court is qualified to say the excluded testimony was of such trifling consequence as to be unprejudicial.
It is true we have often said that the extent to which cross examination of a witness will be permitted on matters going to credibility lies within the sound discretion of the trial court. In this case, however, it is obvious that the evidence of prior misdemeanors convictions was excluded, not in the exercise of the court’s discretion, but on the basis that such evidence was legally inadmissible. Hence, the trial court’s ruling cannot be justified as the permissible exercise of judicial discretion.
An additional factor compounding the error of excluding the misdemeanor convictions was the rejection of the sheriff’s testimony relating to plaintiff’s physical condition when he was in jail. While *11conceding this testimony was admissible, the majority of this court pontificates that its exclusion was non-prejudicial, on the ground it would have been favorable to the plaintiff. As I read the proffered evidence, the court’s conclusion in such regard seems somewhat speculative. Be that as it may, I suggest that the weight and value of the sheriff’s testimony were matters for the jury to determine.
For the reasons expressed I feel compelled, with due respect, to dissent.