Court Opinion

ID: 9772810
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:30:31.789228+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:48.593390
License: Public Domain

Tom Glaze, Justice, dissenting. I dissent. The appellant, Mr. Hacker, gratuitously interjected the issue of insurance before the jury and opened the door for the appellee to explain the extent of coverage the appellant had. Once insurance was mentioned, the appellee had two choices: (1) move for a mistrial or (2) proceed with the questioning of Mr. Hacker (and later the appellee) in an attempt to minimize any prejudice the appellee may have suffered by the reference. Appellee chose the latter course. Of course, Mr. Hacker’s voluntary and unresponsive mention of insurance (and inference from it that appellee’s insurance company had harassed Mr. Hacker) was not deemed objectionable by the Hackers’ counsel. It was not until appellee testified concerning her insurance policy limits did counsel for the Hackers interpose an objection. I agree with appellee that the Hackers cannot have it both ways. If, by testimony, they reveal to the jury that the appellee has insurance, the Hackers are in no position later to complain when the appellee offers testimony in an attempt to explain (or minimize the impact of) that revelation. Thus, I would not reverse the trial court’s refusal to grant the Hackers’ motion for mistrial on this point.