Court Opinion

ID: 9726130
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 12:32:24.740547+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:13:30.623252
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE WELCH, dissenting: I respectfully dissent in this case in light of the recent case of Henry v. Brenner (1985), 138 Ill. App. 3d 609, 486 N.E.2d 934. In Henry v. Brenner, the court found that the use of Federal Rule of Evidence 703 which was adopted by the Illinois courts in Wilson v. Clark (1981), 84 Ill. 2d 186, 417 N.E.2d 1322, has a great potential for abuse. Rule 703 and the Wilson v. Clark holding, allows experts to base their opinion on fact or data otherwise inadmissible so long as the expert can be found to rely on the inadmissible hearsay in giving his opinion. This case is illustrative of the potential for abusing the holding in Wilson v. Clark. I am in much agreement with the finding in Henry v. Brenner which states, “Like all exceptions to the hearsay rule, the full disclosure of the source underlying a testifying expert’s opinion depends upon two critical factors of necessity and trustworthiness.” (Henry v. Brenner (1985), 138 Ill. App. 3d 609, 615, 486 N.E.2d 934.) In this case, the facts reveal that the blood alcohol test allegedly performed on the plaintiff lacked any type of trustworthiness which amounts to a clear abuse of the Wilson v. Clark rule. For one, the records revealing the chain of custody and exact procedures employed in taking the test are inherently suspect. The hospital technician did not recall who took the test. Further all the worksheets detailing the basis for the results and the procedure and method employed had been lost. Also, it is uncertain whether it was the plaintiff’s blood alcohol which was tested in light of the fact that the treating physician did not order it or utilize it in the treatment of the plaintiff and the hospital did not obtain a “Continuity of Possession” form and “Informed Consent” form. Thus, a chain of custody for the record was not established. Second, no one observed any evidence of alcohol or consumption of alcohol at the scene of the accident. The investigating police officer and the ambulance attendant did not observe any evidence of intoxication. A truck driver, who had traveled with the plaintiff during the night communicating on the C.B. radio stated that the plaintiff’s driving was not erratic, plaintiff had not been drinking and that in his opinion the plaintiff was sober. Furthermore at the trial, the treating physician, Dr. Stephen Kappel, opined that the plaintiff was not intoxicated and if he had been he would have marked it in the records. In addition, the accident happened at 5 a.m. The plaintiff arrived at the hospital at 8:15 a.m. but the blood alcohol test was not allegedly administered until 11:55 a.m. It is from that record of the suspect blood alcohol test that the doctor opined that the plaintiff had consumed an alcoholic beverage and was intoxicated four hours prior to the taking of the test. Thus, I find that the trial court not only abused its discretion but also abused the holding in Wilson v. Clark. In light of the foregoing facts, I would reverse the judgment of the circuit court of Madison County and remand the cause for a new trial consistent with this opinion.