Court Opinion

ID: 9690693
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 19:34:17.44632+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:19:01.332955
License: Public Domain

CUNNINGHAM, J.,
concurring in result only:
With the exception stated hereafter, I concur with the excellent work of the majority.
I do not believe the trial judge committed any error in his handling of the expert witnesses in this case. In fact, I think the procedure in which the experts were qualified was entirely appropriate. Therefore, there was no need to apply the harmless error standard.
On this issue, the majority leans upon a weak reed in citing the case of Luttrell v. Commonwealth, 952 S.W.2d 216 (Ky.1997). We said in Luttrell: “This Court has never held that a trial judge is precluded from informing the jury that a witness had been recognized as an expert.” Id. at 218. Only in dictum does that case say that “[gjreat care should be exercised by a trial judge when the determination has been made that a witness is an expert.... All such rulings should be made outside the hearing of the jury and there should be no *275declaration that the witness is an expert.” Id.
The Luttrell opinion goes on to say that “[i]f the jury is so informed such a conclusion obviously enhances the credibility of that witness in the eyes of the jury.” Id. Of course, that is exactly what the qualification of an expert is supposed to do. It affords that witness the elevated status of credibility so that he or she is entitled to offer an opinion.
Except in cases where qualifications are stipulated, experts are always qualified in front of a jury. Even the sponsoring party may choose not to stipulate to the qualifications in order that the jury has the opportunity to know of the qualifications and judge that expert’s credibility accordingly. Equally important is the right for the opposing party to have the opportunity to question these qualifications before a jury-
If the witness meets the threshold requirement of an expert, it is less than candid for the jury not to be apprised of that status. Otherwise, it can lead to confusion. The friendly neighbor is not allowed to give an opinion as to the danger of the gas leak she smelled; but the stranger from out of town with a briefcase is able to not only give an opinion, but offer a half day discourse on the subject.
It is my opinion that many trial judges in Kentucky deal with expert witnesses at jury trials in the same or similar manner as was done in this case. The qualifications, or lack of qualifications, are properly aired before the jury. The proper certification of the witness is made by the judge in front of the jury. It is further appropriate, in my opinion, for the court to inform the juiy exactly what all the fuss is about. The fact that they are told that expert status only allows a witness to give an opinion, and the validity of that opinion rests in their discretion, is an even-handed and straightforward way to proceed.