Summary
holding that statements including "I don't know what happened" constituted present sense impressions
Summary of this case from Thompson v. Yellow Fin Marine Servs., LLCOpinion
2:11-CV-1649 JCM (CWH)
04-18-2013
CAROLYN JEAN CONBOY, D.O., Plaintiff, v. WYNN LAS VEGAS, LLC, dba ENCORE AT WYNN LAS VEGAS et al., Defendants.
ORDER
Presently before the court are defendants Wynn Las Vegas, LLC and Tammy Rogers' eleven motions in limine. (Docs. # 127-138). Plaintiff Carolyn Jean Conboy responded to motions 1-3 in one opposition. (Doc. # 145). Defendants replied to motion 3. (Doc. # 160). Plaintiff responded to motions 4-7 in one opposition. (Doc. # 147). Defendants did not reply. Plaintiff responded to motions 8-10 in one opposition. (Doc. # 148). Defendants replied to motions 9-10. (Docs. # 158/161, 159). Plaintiff responded to motion 11. (Doc. # 149). Defendants did not reply.
Doc. # 133 is a corrected image of doc. # 132.
I. Legal standard
"Although the Federal Rules of Evidence do not explicitly authorize in limine rulings, the practice has developed pursuant to the district court's inherent authority to manage the course of trials." Luce v. U.S., 469 U.S. 38, 41 n.4 (1980). Judges have broad discretion when ruling on motions in limine. See Jenkins v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 316 F.3d 663, 664 (7th Cir. 2002); see also Trevino v. Gates, 99 F.3d 911, 922 (9th Cir. 1999) ("The district court has considerable latitude in performing a Rule 403 balancing test and we will uphold its decision absent clear abuse of discretion").
"[I]n limine rulings are not binding on the trial judge [who] may always change his mind during the course of a trial." Ohler v. United States, 529 U.S. 753, 758 n.3 (2000); accord Luce, 469 U.S. at 41 (noting that in limine rulings are always subject to change, especially if the evidence unfolds in an unanticipated manner). "Denial of a motion in limine does not necessarily mean that all evidence contemplated by the motion will be admitted at trial. Denial merely means that without the context of trial, the court is unable to determine whether the evidence in question should be excluded." Indiana Ins. Co. v. Gen. Elec. Co., 326 F. Supp.2d 844, 846 (N.D. Ohio 2004).
II. Discussion
The court will address only those facts which are pertinent to resolution of the instant motions in limine.
A. Motion in limine 1 (doc. # 127)
1. All evidence generated by or relating to plaintiff's investigator Eddie LaRue
Pursuant to the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure ("FRCP") 26 a party must disclose all witnesses to the other party during discovery. If a party fails to provide information or identify any other witness as required by FRCP 26(a) or (e), then FRCP 37© provides for sanctions. These sanctions include that:
the party is not allowed to use that information or witness to supply evidence on a motion, at a hearing, or at trial, unless the failure was substantially justified or is harmless.FED.R.CIV.P. 37(c)(1).
In this motion in limine, defendants move to exclude all evidence relating to plaintiff's investigator, Eddie LaRue, because it is irrelevant, untimely, and/or unnecessarily duplicative
The discovery deadline was set for April 15, 2012. (Doc. # 10). This deadline was extended to June 15, 2012, but was limited to "Defendant conducting the PMK's that were delayed and discovery related to Ms. Rogers." (Doc. # 55). Plaintiff added LaRue as a witness in a supplemental FRCP 26(a)(1) notice on May 31, 2012. (Doc. # 127-1, :314). This supplement fell outside the discovery deadline and therefore is untimely unless failure was substantially justified or is harmless.
In this case, the court finds that the disclosure's untimeliness harmless. Although the supplement was late, there has been a substantial amount of time for defendants to investigate the matter prior to trial. Further, under FRE 403, the court does not find that defendants would be prejudiced neither by LaRue's testimony nor his pictures offered into evidence. Defendants have had access to these pictures since plaintiff's supplemental disclosure in May 2012.
Additionally, the court finds this information relevant. The pictures objected to by defendants, on the grounds of duplicity and a waste of judicial resources, may give the jury a better understanding of the layout of room 3229. Although defendants argue that these pictures serve only to duplicate evidence that can be obtained from pictures already taken at the scene of the incident; LaRue's pictures may help the jury orient plaintiff's perspective while in the hotel room during the incident.
For photos objected to by defendant see doc. # 127-1, Exhibit B.
For the above reasons, the court finds LaRue's pictures and testimony are admissible.
2. Evidence regarding plaintiff's claim that defendant accessed her laptop
Plaintiff's claim for invasion of privacy was dismissed in an earlier stage in litigation. (Doc. # 116). Both parties agree that evidence regarding this claim is no longer relevant. Therefore, all evidence regarding defendants' alleged access of plaintiff's laptop is inadmissible.
3. Plaintiff's qualification as a doctor and her marketing materials
Defendants contend that evidence of plaintiff's medical degree and relating documents, including marketing materials, should be excluded under FRE 403 as this information is irrelevant and unnecessarily duplicative. Defendants argue that they have already stipulated to the fact that plaintiff is a doctor and was in Las Vegas at the time of the incident for a medical conference. Defendants argue that the existence of the stipulation makes this evidence irrelevant and unnecessarily duplicative.
Stipulations alone, however, do not eliminate the relevance of evidence offered by another party. The evidence covered by these stipulations is still relevant under FRE 401 and 402. However, the existence of a stipulation may affect the balance of unfair prejudice and probative value under FRE 403.
Because the stipulation does not necessarily make this evidence irrelevant and/or unnecessarily duplicative, evidence of plaintiff's qualifications and marketing materials is admissible at this time.
4. Plaintiff's documents labeled 016 through 023 relating to stay at the Wynn and Bates document labeled WYNN0284
Similar to plaintiff's qualifications and marketing materials, defendants have stipulated to the fact that plaintiff stayed at the Encore in room 3229 and went to jail following her arrest by Metro. Defendants argue that this evidence should be excluded under FRE 403 because it is irrelevant and unnecessarily duplicative.
Plaintiff however, argues that this evidence offers additional information that was not necessarily stipulated to, including: that she went through the standard check-in procedures, that she had her credit card run and signed a document authorizing her credit card to be charged for any damage to the room, that she was assigned room 3229 and issued a key, and that after plaintiff's arrest, the Encore had the nerve to call her their "valued guest". Further, plaintiff argues that she should be able to testify and submit evidence of what it was like to be arrested as well as her experience afterwards in regards to the bail bondsman and the amount her bail was set at.
After examining the evidence, the court does not deem these documents as unfairly prejudicial, irrelevant, or duplicative. The stipulation that defendants have accepted does not present all of the nuances that this evidence could have at trial. Because of this, and the connection that this evidence may have with other facts, the court finds this evidence admissible at this time.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 1 is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Defendants' motion is DENIED as to the testimony and evidence of LaRue, the introduction of the plaintiff's qualifications and marketing materials, and as to documents labeled 016 through 023 and WYNN0284. Defendants' motion in limine is GRANTED as to evidence that defendants accessed plaintiff's laptop.
B. Motion in limine 2 (doc. # 128)
1. Plaintiff excluded from offering expert testimony
Under FRCP 26(a)(2), parties have an obligation to designate and disclose expert witnesses. FRCP 37 provides that "if a party fails to make disclosures or to supplement responses as required by Rule 26(a), that party 'shall not present at trial or in motions any evidence not so disclosed, unless there is 'substantial justification' for the failure to disclose or the 'failure is harmless.''" MacArthur v. Star Farm Fire and Cas. Ins. Co., CV-S-04-0598-JCM-PAL, 2004 WL5506688, *2 (D. Nev. 2004) (citing Continental Lab. Prod., Inc. V Medax Int'l., Inc., 195 F.R.D. 675, 676 (S.D. Cal. 2000) and FRCP 37(c)(1)).
Plaintiff neither disclosed an expert witness before the discovery deadline nor does plaintiff dispute the absence of any expert witness on her part. Therefore, under FRCP 37, evidence as to the introduction of new expert testimony by the plaintiff is inadmissible.
2. Eddie LaRue's expert testimony or opinion
As addressed above, because plaintiff has not offered any expert testimony in her discovery, she will be unable to offer any expert testimony or opinion at this trial. However, plaintiff does not contend that LaRue is an expert. LaRue is not intended to provide an expert opinion, and the propositions stated by the plaintiff will not require expert training or knowledge to verify. Consequently, should LaRue make statements that qualify as an expert opinion at trial, these statements are objectionable.
Though defendants claim that LaRue was testimony is being offered as expert testimony, plaintiff did not assert this fact, and plaintiff does not qualify him as an expert. Further, according to the plaintiff, LaRue's testimony is to be only factual statements, not opinion statements. (Doc. # 145). LaRue is not expected to give information under FRE 702, 703, or 705, which governs how experts may present evidence.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 2 is GRANTED as to the exclusion of the introduction of expert testimony by plaintiff and the exclusion of expert testimony that may be offered by LaRue.
C. Motion in limine 3 (doc. # 129)
Defendants argue that plaintiff should be precluded from offering lay opinion or argument to establish the standard of care because expert testimony is required to establish the standard of care as to security professionals. (Doc. # 129).
Under Nevada "[i]t is well settled that the standard of care must be determined by expert testimony unless the conduct involved is within the common knowledge of laypersons." Bialer v. St. Mary's Hospital, 83 Nev. 241 (1967). "Where . . . the service rendered does not involve esoteric knowledge or uncertainty that calls for the professional's judgment, it is not beyond the knowledge of the jury to determine the adequacy of the performance." See Aetna Insurance Co. v. Hellmuth, Obata, Kassabaum Inc., 392 F.2d 472, 478 (8th Cir. 1968).
Defendants argue that the "standard of care" is not something within the common knowledge of a lay person and that an expert witness is required to establish the standard of care, therefore requiring the court to preclude plaintiff from offering her lay opinion to establish the standard of care. (Doc. # 129, 7:9). Plaintiff, however, argues that neither plaintiff nor defendants should be able to offer evidence of the applicable standard of care because it is already covered by the stock jury instruction of what constitutes negligence and probable cause, and that the jury is qualified to make these decisions. (Doc. # 145, 20:15).
Although defendants argue that an expert witness is required to establish the standard of care for private security, they do not cite any precedent that is binding upon this court. While Nevada has held that the standard of care must be determined by an expert in medical malpractice, not all circumstances require an expert.
The court acknowledges that defendants have cited both Parker v. Grand Hyatt Hotel, 124 F. Supp.2d 79, 90 (D.D.C. 2000), and Edwards v. Okie Dokie. Inc., 473 F. Supp.2d 31, 46 (D.D.C. 2007), for the standard of care. These are not binding.
See NRS 41A.100(1); see Beattie v. Thomas, 99 Nev. 579, 584 (1983); see also Stevens v. Duxbury, 97 Nev. 517 (1981).
See Daniel, Mann, Johnson & Mendenhall v. Hilton Hotels Corp., 98 Nev. 113, 115 (1982) (holding that a surveyor's services do "not involve esoteric knowledge or uncertainty that calls for the professional's judgment," and therefore that it was not beyond the knowledge of the jury to determine the adequacy of the performance and consequent breach of contract).
As such, establishing the standard of care in regards to the conduct of private security does not require an expert in Nevada. Thus, defendants' expert testimony, as well as plaintiff's opinion testimony, are admissible.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 3 is DENIED.
D. Motion in limine 4 (doc. # 130)
Defendants move to exclude the testimony of Karen Vogel, Steve Conboy, and Pat Nanda (collectively referred to as "the three witnesses") for three reasons under FRE 402, 403, 801, and 802. (See generally doc. #130).
The testimony of the three witnesses in dispute derives from the telephone conversations each had with plaintiff at different stages during the night in question. (Doc. # 130, 6).
First, defendants argue that this court should exclude the testimony of the three witnesses because it is inadmissible hearsay. (Doc. #130, 6). Defendants contend this evidence is inadmissible hearsay because it is second-hand testimony being used for the truth of matter asserted. (Doc. # 130, 6-7). Moreover, defendants state that there is no viable exception to the hearsay rule to make the testimony of the three witnesses admissible. (Doc. # 130, 7:5-7).
Second, defendants argue the evidence is irrelevant and should be excluded under FRE 401 or 402, since it is not first-hand evidence. (Doc. # 130, 7).
Third, defendants state, in the alternative, that even if this court finds the evidence as having some level of relevancy, it should be excluded under FRE 403 as unfairly prejudicial. (See doc. # 130, 7-8). Defendants believe the evidence to be prejudicial because it anticipates plaintiff using it only to "cement [p]laintiff's version of the events in the minds of the jurors." (Doc. # 130, 8:3).
Plaintiff does not oppose defendants' argument that the evidence is hearsay. However, plaintiff contends that the testimony of the three witnesses is admissible hearsay under FRE 803(1), present sense impression, and FRE 803(2), excited utterance. (See doc. #147, 16-18).
1. Does the testimony of the three witnesses qualify as an exception to hearsay under FRE 803(1)?
Under FRE 803(1) present sense impressions "are not excluded by the rule against hearsay, regardless of whether the declarant is available as a witness." FED.R.EVID. 803. A present sense impression is a "statement describing or explaining an event or condition, made while or immediately after the declarant perceived it." FED.R.EVID. 803(1). The underlying theory of the present sense impression exception is that the "substantial contemporaneity of event and statement negate the likelihood of deliberate or conscious misrepresentation." FED.R.EVID. 803(1) advisory committee note.
In making the determination whether a present sense impression is admissible, courts must weigh three factors: contemporaneousness, chance for reflection, and relevance. United States v. Ponticelli, 622 F.2d 985, 991 (9th Cir. 1980) (overruled on other grounds by United States v. De Bright, 730 F.2d 1255 (9th Cir. 1984)). In order to qualify as a present sense impression the "out-of-court statement must be nearly contemporaneous with the incident described and made with little chance for reflection." Bemis v. Edwards, 45 F.3d 1369, 1372 (9th Cir. 1995) (finding that a statement from a 911 tape in which the caller was relaying information from observers of an event, which he himself did not observe, met the above requirements but was still inadmissible due to caller's failure to personally perceive the events he was describing). Finally, the declarant, but not the witness who overhears the declarant, must "have personal knowledge of the events described." United States v. Murillo, 288 F.3d 1126, 1137 (9th Cir. 2002) (quoting Bemis, 45 F.3d at 1373).
Here, plaintiff describes Vogel as being privy to present sense impressions occurring in the hotel room and jail cell, via telephone calls from plaintiff. (Doc. #147, 16). Additionally, plaintiff alleges that Conboy and Nanda heard present sense impressions via the telephone in relation to plaintiff's time in jail. (Doc. #147, 18:3-5).
These alleged present sense impressions include: "'They're not telling me what happened to John;'" "'They're demanding I pay them $7,000;' and 'I don't know what happened,' or words to those effect." (Doc. # 147, 16:22-23).
Plaintiff alleges she described "the condition of the cell and of her feelings at the time," while she was in jail and on the phone with them. (Doc. # 147, 18: 4-5).
This court finds that plaintiff's statements while on the telephone constitute present sense impressions under FRE 803(1). The alleged statements were describing or explaining an event or condition. Further, the alleged statements were made contemporaneously enough with the alleged incidents to adequately reduce the chance of deliberate misrepresentation. Finally, the declarant (plaintiff) had sufficient personal knowledge of the events she was describing to the three witnesses. See Bemis, 45 F.3d at 1373.
2. Do the statements made by plaintiff to Karen Vogel when she discovered blood on the door qualify as a hearsay exception under FRE 803(2)?
Under FRE 803(2), excited utterances "are not excluded by the rule against hearsay, regardless of whether the declarant is available as a witness." FED.R.EVID. 803. An excited utterance is a "statement relating to a startling event or condition, made while the declarant was under the stress of excitement that it caused." FED.R.EVID. 803(2). The underlying theory behind excited utterance "is simply that circumstances may produce a condition of excitement which temporarily stills the capacity of reflection and produces utterances free of conscious fabrication. Spontaneity is the key factor." FED.R.EVID. 803(2) advisory committee note.
The most significant practical difference between present sense impression and excited utterance is the time lapse allowable between the event and statement. FED.R.EVID. 803(2) advisory committee note. Like present sense impression, an excited utterance must be made nearly contemporaneously with the described incident and with little opportunity for reflection. See Bemis, 45 F.3d at 1372. Furthermore, the declarant of an excited utterance must have first-hand knowledge of the subject. See id. at 1373. However, time is not always the determinative factor, as the court may also look to other factors like age and the characteristic of the event in order to determine if a statement was still an excited utterance. United States v. Rivera, 43 F.3d 1291, 1296 (9th Cir. 1995) (finding that a statement made 30 minutes after the event was still an excited utterance since the declarant was 15 years old and the event was rape).
Here, the statements plaintiff made to Vogel while discovering blood on the door of her hotel room are an exception to hearsay as an excited utterance. However, this court finds that the time window for excited utterance is very narrow, as plaintiff's situation is easily distinguishable from the adolescent in Rivera. Thus, to fall within the exception, only those statements very close in time will qualify under the excited utterances hearsay exception.
3. Conclusion
The court declines to decide if this testimony is relevant, as relevancy is largely dependent on the unpredictable flow of trial. (See doc. #130, 7) (defendant claiming that even if this court found the testimony admissible under a hearsay exception it should be excluded under FRE 402 for lack of relevancy). The court applies the same reasoning to prejudicial effect. However, the court would be remiss if it did not express its concern regarding the probative value of this seemingly repetitive evidence. See FED.R.EVID. 403 ("The court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of . . . needlessly presenting cumulative evidence").
Nonetheless, the court finds that the testimony of Karen Vogel, Steve Conboy, and Pat Nanda maybe admissible as long as their statements meet the aforementioned time and subject matter constraints of the present sense impression and/or excited utterance hearsay exception.
Defendants' motion in limine no. 4 is DENIED.
E. Motion in limine 5 (doc. # 131)
Defendants move to "exclude the testimony of Sergeant Oaks and any other witness as to the hearsay statements and speculation as to the reason the district attorney dropped the charges against plaintiff." (Doc. # 131, 4:12-14).
The motivation for defendants' request derives from one question during Sergeant Oaks' deposition. Sergeant Oaks was asked, "do you know why no charges were filed in this case," and he responded with his thoughts as to the district attorney's reasoning in not filing charges. (Doc. # 131, 4). Like motion in limine no. 4, defendants argue hearsay, but if not hearsay then lack of relevance, and if not the first two then low probative value. (See generally doc. #131 and doc. # 130).
Plaintiff, in her opposition, seemingly gives examples of ways the district attorney's dropping of charges could be introduced. (See doc. #147, 18). Additionally, the plaintiff seems to argue that the dropping of charges falls under exception to hearsay FRE 803(8), public record. (See doc. #147, 18).
But, defendants are challenging the introduction of speculation from third parties as to why charges were dropped. Nevertheless, the court recognizes that if the question is asked of anyone other than the district attorney, "Why did the district attorney fail to prosecute?,"a hearsay objection or a FRE 602, lack of personal knowledge, objection is warranted.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 5 is GRANTED.
F. Motion in limine 6 (docs. # 132/133)
Defendants move to "exclude any evidence, reference, or argument by [p]laintiff indicating that [p]laintiff was handcuffed and/or arrested by Wynn Security." (Doc. # 133, 4:16-17). Defendant argues that exclusion of this evidence under FRE 401, 402, and 403 is appropriate because the evidence will be prejudicial, confusing to the jury, and unnecessarily time consuming. (Doc. # 133, 7).
Defendants contend that the time line of plaintiff's arrest is undisputed, and that plaintiff's arguments challenging this time line are "without any evidentiary support." (Doc. # 133, 4:20).
FRE 401 says "[e]vidence is relevant if: (a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence; and (b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action." FED.R.EVID. 401. Clearly, this evidence meets the low standard set out by FRE 401 and is thus relevant.
FRE 402 says "relevant evidence is admissible unless any of the following provides otherwise: the United States Constitution; a federal statute; these rules; or other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court." FED.R.EVID. 402. This leads to the one remaining rule that defendants claim precludes the evidence in question. (Doc. #133, 7).
FRE 403 says, "[t]he court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence." FED.R.EVID. 403.
As defendants pointed out, this court found in its order granting in part and denying in part motions for summary judgment, a genuine issue of material fact existed as to who arrested and placed plaintiff in handcuffs. (Doc. # 133, 4; see also doc. # 116). As such, the court is not inclined to preclude evidence surrounding that question from being introduced by plaintiff. This evidence is not unfairly prejudicial, confusing, misleading, cumulative, or delaying.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 6 is DENIED.
G. Motion in limine 7 (doc. # 134)
Defendants move to "exclude any evidence, reference, or argument by [p]laintiff suggesting that she was 'paraded through the hotel' following her arrest." (Doc. # 134, 4:16-17). Defendants argue for exclusion of this evidence under FRE 401, 402, and 403 because it will be highly prejudicial. (Doc. # 134, 6).
Defendants contend that the word "paraded", "improperly characterize[s] the actions of Metro officers in escorting [plaintiff] to the security room." (Doc. # 134, 6). Defendants argue that the word "paraded" could potentially create images in the jurors' minds which do not coincide with the fact that plaintiff was actually taken through the hotel via back routes as opposed to through more public areas. (Doc. # 134, 7).
Plaintiff seems to oppose defendants on the grounds that regardless of public areas or non-public areas, plaintiff was still "paraded" around in the hotel. (Doc. # 147, 21).
Since, defendants are once again moving under FRE 401, 402, and 403 the court will go through a similar analysis as motion in limine no. 6.
FRE 401 says "[e]vidence is relevant if: (a) it has any tendency to make a fact more or less probable than it would be without the evidence; and (b) the fact is of consequence in determining the action." FED.R.EVID. 401. Obviously, this evidence meets the low standard set out by FRE 401 and is therefore relevant.
FRE 402 says "relevant evidence is admissible unless any of the following provides otherwise: the United States Constitution; a federal statute; these rules; or other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court." FED.R.EVID. 402. This leads to the one remaining rule that defendants assert. (Doc. # 134, 6).
FRE 403 says, "[t]he court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence." FED.R.EVID. 403.
The court recognizes the potential connotation that "paraded" could create in a juror's mind. But plaintiff should have the ability to draw that picture if she can do so. If the court was to exclude just the word "paraded", a simple search through a thesaurus or dictionary by plaintiff could result in a multitude of alternatives.
Further, the court is not inclined to make a more sweeping ruling as defendants hint at in their final paragraph of the legal argument section. (See doc. # 134, 8:3-14). The disconnected jump defendants make from initially asking the court to exclude evidence regarding plaintiff being "paraded through the hotel" (see doc. #134, 4) to then asking the court to limit evidence in support of plaintiff's slander per se claim to just the one person in the security room (doc. # 134, 8) is unsupported.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 7 is DENIED.
H. Motion in limine 8 (doc. # 137)
Defendants move the court to preclude plaintiff from providing testimony or documentation that supports her alleged damages claims. First, defendants ask the court to exclude evidence related to plaintiff's alleged financial losses. Second, defendants ask the court to exclude evidence that the plaintiff suffered damage to her reputation. Third, defendants ask the court to exclude evidence of plaintiff's medical treatment for physical and emotional damages. Fourth, defendants ask the court to exclude any and all evidence related to plaintiff's punitive damages claim. The court will address each request in turn.
First, defendants argue that plaintiff's evidence related to alleged financial losses should be excluded because plaintiff failed to provide a computation of damages as required by FRCP 26(a)(1). (Doc. # 137). Plaintiff argues that such a computation is unnecessary because plaintiff agreed to limit her damages to $500 before the magistrate judge. (Doc. # 148).
THE COURT: Well, are you willing to stipulate to that? I mean, that would -- that -- it seems to me that you've solved a discovery problem if you're going to say that no more than $500 was lost. MR. KOSSACK: Yeah, I think we could stipulate to that.(Doc. # 70, 30:4-11).
Based on plaintiff's representation, defendants have not provided sufficient justification for precluding evidence related to plaintiff's alleged financial losses of $500.00. Therefore, defendants' first request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
This same representation is made in plaintiff's reply in support of her motion in limine. (Doc. # 155, 19:27-28).
Second, defendants ask the court to exclude evidence that the plaintiff suffered damage to her reputation, because plaintiff has not shown any proof of damages. (Doc. # 137). Defendants argue that a claim of slander requires proof of damages. (Doc. # 137). Defendants also argue that because plaintiff showed no proof of damages that she should not be allowed to provide proof of slander per se. However, plaintiff's claim for slander per se does not require proof of damages. K-Mart Corp. v. Washington, 109 Nev. 1180, 1192-93 (1993) (overruled in part on other grounds by Pope v. Motel 6, 121 Nev. 307 (2005)). "The imputation of [criminal behavior], by words or by pantomime, if communicated to a third party, is unquestionably slander per se." Id. at 1193. Therefore, because plaintiff's slander per se claim does not require evidence of damages, the court will not entertain defendants' request. Defendants' second request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
Third, defendants ask the court to exclude evidence of plaintiff's medical treatment for physical and emotional damages. Defendants argue plaintiff should have provided an expert witness for any claim that future pain and suffering are a probable consequence of this event. Lerner Shops v. Marin, 83 Nev. 75, 79 (1967). Consistent with Lerner Shops, the court will prohibit plaintiff from providing for any claim for future pain and suffering. However, the court, at this juncture, will neither prohibit plaintiff from testifying as to any objective physical injuries she has suffered as a result of the event nor as to the effect the event had on her life more generally. Defendants' third request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
Fourth, defendants ask the court to exclude any and all evidence related to plaintiff's punitive damages claim. Defendants argue that plaintiff has shown no evidence attesting to defendants' financial condition. (Doc. # 137). The court finds that this request more appropriately addressed in motion in limine no. 11, see infra II.K. Defendants' fourth request is DENIED as moot.
Therefore, defendants' motion in limine no. 8 is DENIED.
I. Motion in limine 9 (docs. # 135/143)
Defendants move this court to exclude evidence and reference to disciplinary actions taken against Tammy Rogers ("Rogers") as irrelevant and prejudicial. (Doc. # 143). Plaintiff alleges that one of Rogers' write-ups shows that Rogers has a history of "coveting the finer things." (Doc. # 148). This evidence, standing alone, may have little relevance to plaintiff's cause of action for conversion/negligence. However, the relevance and probative value of this evidence will be determined at trial based on the other evidence submitted.
Defendants' motion in limine no. 9 is DENIED.
J. Motion in limine 10 (doc. # 136)
Defendants move this court to exclude an a wide range of evidence as prejudicial to defendants. First, defendants argue that the court should prohibit all of plaintiff's demonstrative exhibits not previously reviewed by defendants. Second, defendants argue the court should preclude all references to facts not in evidence. Third, defendants argue that plaintiff's counsel should be prohibited from stating an opinion on the credibility of witnesses. Fourth, defendants argue that the court should preclude plaintiff from requesting a specific amount of non-economic damages. Fifth, defendants argue that the court should prohibit all evidence not provided to defendants during discovery. The court will address each request in turn.
First, defendants argue that the court should prohibit all of plaintiff's demonstrative exhibits not previously reviewed by defendants. Demonstrative evidence is evidence used to explain or illustrate other evidence already on the record. Shuffle Master, Inc. v. MP Games LLC, 553 F. Supp.2d 1202, 1209 (D. Nev. 2008) (citation omitted). The court ORDERS that the parties exchange a list of demonstrative exhibits to be used at any point during the course of trial. The party offering the demonstrative evidence must provide the opposing party sufficient time and opportunity to examine and pre-screen the exhibits prior to its use at trial. Defendants' first request is GRANTED consistent with the foregoing.
Second, defendants argue that the court should preclude all references to facts not in evidence. Defendants assert that plaintiff may attempt to comment on evidence that has been previously excluded by the court. The court will not grant a motion in limine to reaffirm what is already prohibited by the federal rules. Moreover, the court will not speculate as to what the parties may say during the trial. Therefore, defendants' second request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
The parties may object to any improper statement or evidence at trial.
Third, defendants argue that plaintiff's counsel should be prohibited from stating an opinion on the credibility of witnesses. Counsel must not provide a personal opinion as to the veracity of a witness's testimony. United States v. Kerr, 981 F.2d 1050, 1053 (9th Cir. 1992). In Kerr, the court found prosecutorial misconduct when the prosecutor repeatedly provided personal opinions, vouching for government witnesses. Id. at 1054. This court adheres to the well established rule that counsel representing the parties may not testify at trial. Jones v. Chi., 610 F. Supp. 350, 362 (N.D. Ill. 1984). Nonetheless, counsel may comment on evidence without providing a personal opinion during closing arguments. Therefore, defendants' third request is GRANTED consistent with the foregoing.
Fourth, defendants argue the court should preclude plaintiff from requesting a specific amount of non-economic damages. Defendants argue the jury may inflate a possible award based on a statement, which may be made by plaintiff's counsel, suggesting a specific award. Defendants suggest this court should adopt the Second Circuit's disfavor for such statements. Consorti v. Armstrong World Indus., 72 F.3d 1003, 1016 (2d Cir. 1995). However, the Ninth Circuit Civil Model Jury Instruction § 1.7 instructs the jury that "[a]rguments and statements by lawyers are not evidence" and should not be considered as evidence. As such, the court finds this jury instruction to be sufficient to address such statements. Therefore, defendants' fourth request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
Fifth, defendants argue the court should prohibit all evidence not provided to defendants during discovery. The court will conduct the trial pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence. The court expects the parties to adhere to these rules. The court will not grant a motion in limine to reiterate this expectation. Therefore, defendants' fifth request is DENIED consistent with the foregoing.
Defendants' motion in limine no. 10 is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
K. Motion in limine 11 (doc. # 138)
Defendants' motion in limine no. 11 asks the court to "exclude certain evidence, statements, and/or arguments that may be raised by counsel for [p]laintiff at the time of trial." (Doc. # 138, 4:11-12). Additionally, defendants request two things: exclusion of evidence relating to the punitive damages from being raised in the main case and trifurcation of the issue of punitive damages from the main case. (Doc. # 138, 4). In furtherance of these ends, defendants raise a multitude of arguments and constitutional concerns each of which will be addressed in more detail below. (See generally doc. # 138).
Plaintiff contests the instant motion primarily on three grounds. (See doc. # 149). However, plaintiff agrees with defendants as to trifurcation. (Doc. # 149, 19).
1. Defendants seek to preclude certain types of evidence from main case
Defendants guess that plaintiff will present three categories of evidence which it argues will violate its constitutional rights. (Doc. # 138, 6). First, evidence involving defendants' conduct towards parties not part of this litigation. (Doc. # 138, 7). Second, "evidence of [defendants'] conduct outside of Nevada having no connection to the conduct that allegedly injured [p]laintiff." (Doc. # 138, 8:7-8). Third, evidence of defendants' "Non-Nevada financial condition." (Doc. # 138, 9:2).
I. Evidence regarding defendant's conduct towards parties not part of this litigation
Defendants anticipate plaintiff will attempt to bolster her argument by using claims of dissimilar non-parties in regards to "how prior security issues were handled" by Wynn. (Doc. # 138, 7:17-18). Defendants argue that use of this presumed evidence by plaintiff would infringe upon its constitutional rights as illustrated by State Farm v. Campbell, 538 U.S. 408 (2003).
Plaintiff asserts it has no intention of using evidence of a non-party unless that evidence is very similar to the facts of this dispute. (See doc. # 149, 16). Plaintiff points out that defendant is not moving to exclude any current evidence in particular, but only potential future evidence which may or may not ever come to fruition. (Doc. # 149, 16).
This court agrees with both parties. On one hand, evidence of dissimilar conduct in order to increase a punitive damages award is unfair. See Campbell, 538 U.S. at 422-24. On the other hand, a ruling to exclude this type of evidence is better handled during trial, when more information as to its relevance is available.
More on point than Campell is Philip Morris USA v. Williams, 549 U.S. 346 (2007). Phillip Morris is clearer, narrower, and more recent than Campbell when it comes to evidence of non-parties in relation in punitive damages. 549 U.S. 346 (2007). Phillip Morris held that the Constitution's Due Process Clause does not allow a jury to base an award "in part upon its desire to punish the defendant for harming persons who are not before the court (e.g., victims whom the parties do not represent)." 549 U.S. at 349 (emphasis in original). The Court made clear that "a jury may not . . . use a punitive damages verdict to punish a defendant directly on account of harms it is alleged to have visited on nonparties," except in two instances where harm to others shows more reprehensible conduct.
The Court pointed out two methods a plaintiff may use to show harm to others in order to demonstrate reprehensibility. Phillip Morris, 549 U.S. at 355. First, "evidence of actual harm to nonparties can help to show that the conduct that harmed the plaintiff also posed a substantial risk of harm to the general public, and so was particularly reprehensible." Id. Second, "counsel may argue in a particular case that conduct resulting in no harm to others nonetheless posed a grave risk to the public, or the converse." Id.
Thus, this court denies defendants' request to exclude plaintiff's potential evidence regarding defendants' conduct towards parties not part of this litigation whether in regards to the merits or punitive damages, as long as plaintiff's showing falls within the exceptions outlined in Phillip Morris.
ii. Evidence of defendant's conduct outside of Nevada with no connection to the conduct that allegedly injured plaintiffs
Defendant argues, once again under Campbell, that "Nevada cannot punish a defendant for its conduct in other states or countries unless the claims of those allegedly injured in other jurisdictions are joined with the plaintiff's claims and the Nevada court applies the laws of the other jurisdictions to the out-of-state claims." (Doc. #138, 8:12-15).
Plaintiff alleges she has no plans to use evidence of conduct outside of Nevada. (Doc. #149, 17).
Again this court agrees with both parties, and reiterates its points in relation to Phillip Morris above. The court denies defendants' request to exclude evidence of conduct outside Nevada.
iii. Evidence of defendant's non-Nevada financial condition
Defendants argue that its constitutional rights will be infringed if their non-Nevada financial condition is introduced. (See doc. # 138, 9-12). They argue that "four unconstitutional things," will happen if this type of evidence is allowed: (1) the Wynn will be punished for conduct outside Nevada; (2) it will project a punitive rule into other jurisdictions; (3) it will extract punishment from interstate and international commerce; and (4) the Wynn will be punished based on financial condition of other business enterprises (Doc. # 138, 10:8-13). Plaintiff opposes defendants' argument on a few different grounds. (See doc. #149, 17-18).
In 1988, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that "the financial position of the defendant is still relevant to the determination of the amount of the punitive damages award. The wealth of a defendant is directly relevant to the size of an award, which is meant to deter the defendant from repeating his misconduct as well as punish him for his past behavior." Ainsworth v. Combined Ins. Co. of America, 104 Nev. 587, 593 (1988), citing see Midwest Supply, Inc. v. Waters, 89 Nev. 210 (1973). In Ainsworth, the "financial position" the Court referenced was the national financial position of the defendant. Id. at 593 (the court figured that a near six million dollar punitive damage award only amounted to five percent of defendant's 1985 net operating gain and only constitutes .4 percent of their 1985 total assets).
Eleven years later the Nevada Supreme Court reiterated this viewpoint in Dillard Dept. Stores, Inc. v. Beckwith, 115 Nev. 372, 381 (1999), cert. denied, 120 S.Ct. 2744 (2000). There is nothing in the facts of Beckwith which distinguishes it enough from the facts presented here in order to justify not following its precedent as to punitive damages. See Beckwith, 115 Nev. at 374-75 (plaintiff's claim arose out of an incident with her store and its manager and it was not based on a nationwide systemic problem of defendant). However, the court recognizes that both these cases were decided prior to Campbell, 538 U.S. 408 (2003).
"Dillard objected to the trial judge's decision to allow the nationwide worth, rather than just the worth of Dillard's Nevada, Inc., to determine the amount of punitive damages to award. We have previously allowed a nationwide worth when a jury decides punitive damages. Specifically, we have recognized '[t]he wealth of a defendant is directly relevant to the size of an award, which is meant to deter the defendant from repeating his misconduct as well as punish him for his past behavior.'" Dillard Dept. Stores, Inc. v. Beckwith, 115 Nev. 372 , 381 (1999) citing Ainsworth v. Combined Ins. Co., 104 Nev. 587, 593 (1988).
Regardless, the court disagrees with the conclusions that defendants draw from their use of Campbell. Defendants cite Campbell about six times in their argument. (See doc. #138, 9-12). However, defendants' use of "nexus of the conduct" (doc. #138, 11:9) to conclude that "when determining the amount of punitive damages to award, the focus of the analysis ought to be on the effect of the conduct of the defendant in the state where the defendant is alleged to have committed a bad act" is misplaced. (Doc. #138, 11:14-16).
The "nexus" spoken of on page 423-424 of Campbell is focused on whether evidence of a non-party's interaction with the defendant can be used to persuade a jury of punitive damages. Much of Campbell is dedicated to answering that question. See generally 538 U.S. 408. When it comes to not basing punitive damages on a company's overall wealth, Campbell is not silent, but its main takeaway merely reiterates a point from Gore that, "the wealth of a defendant cannot justify an otherwise unconstitutional punitive damages award." 508 U.S. at 427. Moreover, Campbell quotes Justice Breyer's concurrence in Gore which says "'[Wealth] provides an open-ended basis for inflating awards when the defendant is wealthy . . . That does not make its use unlawful or inappropriate; it simply means that this factor cannot make up for the failure of other factors.'" Id. at 428.
"The Campbells have identified scant evidence of repeated misconduct of the sort that injured them. Nor does our review of the Utah courts' decisions convince us that State Farm was only punished for its actions toward the Campbells. Although evidence of other acts need not be identical to have relevance in the calculation of punitive damages, the Utah court erred here because evidence pertaining to claims that had nothing to do with a third-party lawsuit was introduced at length. Other evidence concerning reprehensibility was even more tangential. For example, the Utah Supreme Court criticized State Farm's investigation into the personal life of one of its employees . . ." Campbell, 538 U.S. at 423-24.
Based on Nevada precedent and relevant authority from the United States Supreme Court, the court disagrees with defendants that use of its entire financial records as opposed to just its Nevada financial records would be unconstitutional. Therefore, the court denies defendants' motion to exclude evidence of defendants' non-Nevada financial position.
2. Defendants seek to trifurcate the trial
FRCP 42(b) "confers broad discretion upon the district court to bifurcate a trial, thereby deferring costly and possibly unnecessary proceedings." Hangarter v. Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co., 373 F.3d 998, 1021 (9th Cir. 2004) (citation and quotation marks omitted). However, the "normal procedure" is to try punitive liability and amount issues together, with appropriate instructions making clear the difference, since the evidence on these issues "usually overlaps substantially." Id. (citation and quotation marks omitted).
The main limitation on a district court's ability to bifurcate liability and damages is constitutional: the court must preserve any federal right to a jury trial. FED.R.CIV.P. 42(b). In considering a motion to bifurcate trial, courts have weighed the factors of convenience, prejudice, judicial economy, risk of confusion, and whether the issues are clearly separable. See William W. Schwarzer et al., Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial § 16:160.4 (2011). Finally, a decision to bifurcate is reviewed on appeal for abuse of discretion. Hirst v. Gertzen, 676 F.2d 1252, 1261 (9th Cir. 1982).
Defendants seek to trifurcate for a variety of reasons. Defendants believe that one trial would prejudice the jury, confuse the jury, and waste judicial resources. (See doc. # 138, 12-19). Plaintiff does not oppose defendants' request to trifurcate citing the Nevada rule. (Doc. #149, 19).
Nevada Revised Statute 42.005(3) reads: "If punitive damages are claimed pursuant to this section, the trier of fact shall make a finding of whether such damages will be assessed. If such damages are to be assessed, a subsequent proceeding must be conducted before the same trier of fact to determine the amount of such damages to be assessed. The trier of fact shall make a finding of the amount to be assessed according to the provisions of this section. The findings required by this section, if made by a jury, must be made by special verdict along with any other required findings. The jury must not be instructed, or otherwise advised, of the limitations on the amount of an award of punitive damages prescribed in subsection 1." Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 24.005 (2011).
Nevertheless, this trial will not be trifurcated. However, the trial will be conducted in two phases. In phase one, any evidence of defendants' financial condition is excluded and the jury will be asked whether there is clear and convincing evidence that defendants are guilty of malice, oppression, or fraud. If the jury returns a verdict in plaintiff's favor on liability and finds malice, oppression, or fraud, then the case will proceed to phase two in which the same jury considers what amount of punitive damages to award. See also NEVADA JURY INSTRUCTIONS 12PD.1-.2 (Publications Committee of the State Bar of Nevada, 2011).
The court recognizes that the parties have not yet engaged in discovery with respect to punitive damages. (See doc. # 10). The parties shall engage in limited discovery as to defendants' financial worth as directed by the court.
--------
Therefore, defendants' request for trifurcation is DENIED.
III. Conclusion
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that defendants Wynn Las Vegas, LLC and Tammy Rogers' motions in limine (docs. # 127-138) be, and the same hereby are, GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 1 (doc. # 127) be, and the same hereby is, GRANTED in part and DENIED in part consistent with section II.A. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 2 (doc. # 128) be, and the same hereby is, GRANTED consistent with section II.B. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 3 (doc. # 129) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.C. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 4 (doc. # 130) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.D. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 5 (doc. # 131) be, and the same hereby is, GRANTED consistent with section II.E. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 6 (docs. # 132/133) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.F. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 7 (doc. # 134) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.G. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 8 (doc. # 137) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.H. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 9 (docs. # 135/143) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.I. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 10 (doc. # 136) be, and the same hereby is, GRANTED in part and DENIED in part consistent with section II.J. supra.
THEREFORE IT IS ORDERED that defendants' motion in limine no. 11 (doc. # 138) be, and the same hereby is, DENIED consistent with section II.K. supra.
______________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE