EVIDENCE



Final Examination, Fall 1999





QUESTION I

207 raw points



I-A. Cockpit voice recorder tape.

One would subpoena the tape

9 points _______

And authenticate it through the NTSB investigator's testimony

9 points _______



I-B. Flight data recorder tape.

One would subpoena the tape

9 points _______

And authenticate it through the NTSB investigator's testimony

9 points _______

And interpret it through the NTSB investigator's testimony

9 points _______

or the testimony of one's own expert witness

9 points _______



I-C. NTSB report.

Investigative reports are not admissible in Louisiana

9 points _______

Use for impeachment of any preparer who testifies

9 points _______

Use for present memory refreshed

9 points _______

Use for prior recollection recorded as to any preparer

9 points _______

Does it contain admissions of parties or their agents?

9 points _______

Get NTSB facts in by calling live witnesses

9 points _______



I-D. Transcript of NTSB testimony.

Admissions of parties or their agents are always admissible

9 points _______

However, to use in lieu of testimony of live non-party witnesses

witness must be "unavailable"

9 points _______

in civil case, was there a party with a similar interest

9 points _______

who was given a similar opportunity

9 points _______

and who had a similar motive to cross-examine?

9 points _______

Use in any case permissible for present memory refreshed

9 points _______

Use for prior recollection recorded if questioning a preparer of the report

9 points _______



I-E. Testimony of expert Jamal Mubarek.

He may testify as an expert

9 points _______

He may rely on unpopular theories

9 points _______

Goes to weight only

9 points _______

Daubert v. Merrell Dow relaxed the rules

9 points _______







QUESTION II

174 raw points



II-A. How may plaintiff use the article from Advocette?

The statement appears highly relevant as an admission by a party

6 points _______

and it matters not that spokesperson did not know the facts

6 points _______

However, the newspaper article appears to be inadmissible hearsay

6 points _______

Plaintiff must subpoena the airline vice president who made the statement

6 points _______

Or subpoena the news reporter to whom the airline made the statement

6 points _______

If airline will not admit statement and reporter is unavailable

6 points _______

article possibly admissible under "catchall" article, 804 (B)(6)

6 points _______



II-B. Josephina Roughneck's statement to Bertha Bestfriend.

Relevant as admission by a party

6 points _______

going to her claimed loss of consortium and damages

6 points _______

It is also a statement of intent

6 points _______

Yes, defense will succeed in getting the statement admitted

6 points _______



II-C. Joe Roughneck's statement to Passionada Von Climax.

Relevant as admission by a privity

6 points _______

going to Joe's future earnings plaintiff claims are now lost

6 points _______

Yes, defense will succeed in getting the statement admitted

6 points _______



II-D. Passionada is an informant and made a tape.

Her tape may be so used and will be admitted into evidence

6 points _______

if made in Louisiana or another state with law similar to ours

6 points _______

Mark as exhibit and have her identify the tape

6 points _______

If made under color of law, her motive in making tape immaterial

6 points _______



II-E. Bertha "forgets" her earlier statement. What to do?

Call Bertha. When she denies Josephina's statement ask about adjuster

6 points _______

Prior inconsistent statements are admissible

6 points _______

After Bertha testifies, call adjuster and ask him what Bertha said

6 points _______



II-F. May First Officer Kerry's prior safety violation be used at trial?

It simply can' be used at trial

6 points _______

They can't impeach him with it -- he's dead

6 points _______

it's not even a criminal conviction

6 points _______

nor does it show motive, opportunity, intent or plan

6 points _______

nor is it character evidence

6 points _______

nor is it habit

6 points _______

It's highly inflammatory and prejudicial

6 points _______

And it's just plain irrelevant

6 points _______





QUESTION III

24 raw points



III-A. In "The Eye of the Wolf," where does Gerry Spence first meet his client?

Any answer indicating the student knows Mr. Spence met Mr. Weaver in jail

8 points _______



III-B. Where exactly in the United States did the events occur?

Ruby Hill or Ruby Ridge or Idaho. Partial credit for Wyoming.

8 points _______



III-C. Describe Mr. Weaver's political views? What would most call him?

Bigot or racist or klansman or nazi, or any similar term

8 points _______



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