IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
No. 2008-CT-01933-SCT
PAULA DENHAM AND PAMELA CALDWELL
v.
ADAM HOLMES, A MINOR BY AND THROUGH
DONNIE HOLMES, HIS FATHER & NATURAL
GUARDIAN
ON WRIT OF CERTIORARI
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 07/28/2008
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. ANDREW K. HOWORTH
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: LAFAYETTE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS: TOMMY WAYNE DEFER
BOBBY T. VANCE
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE: JOHN BRIAN HYNEMAN
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - PERSONAL INJURY
DISPOSITION: THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF
APPEALS IS AFFIRMED. THE JUDGMENT
OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LAFAYETTE
COUNTY IS REVERSED AND THE CASE IS
REMANDED - 04/07/2011
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
EN BANC.
CARLSON, PRESIDING JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. Paula Denham and Pamela Caldwell filed a complaint against Adam Holmes in the
Lafayette County Circuit Court. Denham and Caldwell alleged that Holmes had negligently
operated his motor vehicle, resulting in an accident in which they were injured. A Lafayette
County jury returned a verdict in favor of Holmes, and the circuit court entered a judgment
consistent with the jury verdict. Aggrieved, Denham and Caldwell appealed, and we assigned
this case to the Court of Appeals. After the Court of Appeals reversed and remanded for a
new trial, Holmes filed a petition for writ of certiorari, which we granted.
¶2. While our disposition of today’s case is the same as the Court of Appeals, our reasons
differ from the Court of Appeals as to why a reversal of the trial-court judgment is required.
We agree with the Court of Appeals that at least one of the jury instructions granted by the
trial judge was erroneous. We find, however, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in failing to admonish the jury to disregard defense counsel’s comments during closing
arguments regarding the plaintiffs’ failure to provide expert testimony to support their claims
of Holmes’s liability. For purposes of the new trial to be conducted on remand, we likewise
address the extent to which the trial court abused its discretion by excluding the plaintiffs’
expert witness under Daubert and Mississippi Rule of Evidence 702. See Daubert v. Merrell
Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S. Ct. 2786, 125 L. Ed. 2d 469 (1993).
FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN THE TRIAL COURT
¶3. For the most part, we present here the Court of Appeals’ recitation of the facts.
Denham v. Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494, at *1-2 (¶¶4-8) (Miss. Ct. App. Sept. 23, 2010).
However, we add certain facts found in the record for the sake of today’s discussion. On the
day of the accident, Paula Denham was driving her vehicle within or near the corporate limits
of Oxford. Denham’s vehicle also was occupied by Denham’s sister, Pamela Caldwell, who
was seated on the front seat-passenger side. Denham was traveling east on the portion of
University Avenue which is east of the Highway 7-University Avenue intersection and west
2
of the intersection of University Avenue with Highway 6/278. In this area, University
Avenue is a two-lane, paved street, with one lane for east-bound traffic and one lane for
west-bound traffic. Denham and Caldwell were traveling to Ken Ash Construction Company
(Ash), which is located on the north side of University Avenue, for the purpose of soliciting
business for their residential/commercial cleaning service. According to Denham, as she
prepared to make a left-hand turn off University Avenue into the Ash parking lot, she
engaged her left-hand-turn blinker and came to a complete stop in the east-bound lane to
allow three or four west-bound vehicles to pass. Denham stated that, although there was a
hill a short distance east of the Ash parking lot, the hill was a sufficient distance away from
her location such that she observed all of the vehicles (three or four in number)
simultaneously as they approached and traveled past her. As Denham attempted to negotiate
the left-hand turn into the Ash parking lot, the front left side of Adam Holmes's truck struck
the front passenger side of Denham's car. Denham stated she never saw Holmes’s truck
coming toward her. Lee Durham was a passenger in Holmes's truck. Before trial, the parties
stipulated that certain physical injuries and medical expenses had resulted from the accident.
¶4. Denham and Caldwell testified that no oncoming traffic was visible when Denham
commenced her left-hand turn. Denham testified that the front wheels of her car were in the
Ash parking lot when Holmes's truck hit her car, pushing it across both traffic lanes on
University Avenue. The car stopped on the roadside opposite the collision with the car’s
front end completely off the road. Holmes's truck stopped seventy-five feet inside Ash's
parking lot. The wreck totaled both vehicles.
3
¶5. Caldwell testified that an “instant” prior to impact, she saw Holmes’s truck. She stated
that Holmes was driving “crazy fast” and that she did not have time to warn Denham of the
approaching vehicle. Holmes testified that he estimated his speed to be between forty and
forty-five miles per hour when Denham turned in front of him. The accident report revealed
that Holmes had told officers that he was traveling forty-five miles per hour. Durham
testified that Denham's vehicle had abruptly turned left when it was “almost right on them.”
Holmes testified that he had applied his brakes and had steered to the right to avoid hitting
Denham's car. Deputy Shane Theobald with the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department was
the investigating officer at the scene. He testified that the speed limit on University Avenue
in the area of the accident was forty miles per hour.
¶6. Before trial, Denham and Caldwell designated Donald Rawson, a traffic-collision
reconstructionist, as their expert witness. The parties stipulated that Rawson was properly
and timely designated and that he would testify by deposition. The parties also stipulated that
Rawson was qualified to give certain expert opinions on the traffic accident.
¶7. However, at trial, Holmes made an ore tenus motion to exclude Rawson's deposition
testimony on the basis that it would not aid the jury. Holmes also questioned the reliability
of the testimony, noting that Rawson did not view the actual wrecked vehicles or speak with
Holmes, Durham, or Deputy Theobald. Holmes argued that Rawson's testimony only
4
reiterated what the police report stated and was unnecessary. Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494,
at *1-2 (¶¶4-8).1
¶8. Rawson’s expert opinion, as provided in his deposition, concluded that Holmes had
been speeding and could have avoided the accident. Rawson had viewed the accident report,
the accident site, the deposition testimony, and several photographs taken some time after the
accident. The accident report stated that Holmes had estimated his speed to be forty-five
miles per hour. Rawson calculated that Holmes’s vehicle had been 206 feet from Denham’s
car when her car had begun to turn, based on the “time it took [Denham] to turn before” the
vehicles collided – 3.12 seconds 2 – and Holmes’s estimated speed – forty-five miles per hour.
Using basic mathematics, Rawson concluded that Holmes’s truck, at a constant speed of
forty-five miles per hour, traveled the 206 feet in 3.12 seconds.
¶9. Timing vehicles at the accident scene, Rawson found that a stopped vehicle could
cross the opposite lane and completely exit the roadway in 3.62 seconds. Rawson opined that
if Holmes had been driving forty miles per hour and had braked properly, then “he would
have slowed down to 31 miles per hour and gone behind [the plaintiff] as she cleared.” This
1
We emphasize that some of the facts we have added were not included in the Court
of Appeals’ opinion.
2
Specifically, according to Rawson, Denham’s turn took 3.12 seconds such that the
front wheels of her car were off the road and in the gravel drive when the collision occurred.
In his post-accident visit to the scene, Rawson determined this exact time by timing cars as
they turned at the accident site.
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opinion also assumed that Holmes had been 206 feet from the point of impact when Denham
had commenced her left-hand turn.
¶10. Importantly, Rawson opined that the lack of skid marks proved that Holmes had not
braked, and if he had braked or taken evasive action, then Denham’s car could have cleared
Holmes’s truck in the necessary 3.62 seconds. Moreover, Rawson concluded that, based on
the absence of skid marks, Denham had not been negligent in the operation of her vehicle.
He opined that if Denham had created an immediate hazard 3 when turning and, therefore, did
not have the right of way, then Holmes would have reacted by braking his truck, thus causing
skid marks on the pavement, in an attempt to avoid the collision. Rawson concluded that
since no skid marks existed, Denham had not created an immediate hazard and that she had
the right of way. Accordingly, Rawson surmised that Holmes had failed to avoid the
accident, which was his duty.
3
In Rawson’s deposition, he testified that, according to Mississippi’s traffic
regulations and rules of the road, “if someone is turning and they don’t create an immediate
hazard, they have the right-of-way.” See Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-803 (Rev. 2004) (“The
driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-
way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, which is within the intersection
or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. However, said driver, having so
yielded . . . may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the
intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making
the left turn.”). See also Baxter v. Rounsaville, 193 So. 2d 735, 739 (Miss. 1967) (“[T]he
law does not require the operator of an automobile traveling at a lawful rate of speed to stop
or even to reduce the speed of his vehicle merely because he sees another vehicle on the
highway, unless he sees, or by the use of ordinary care should have seen, that the other
automobile is in a place of peril . . . .”).
6
¶11. The trial judge read Rawson’s deposition and determined that Rawson had not
performed a true accident reconstruction; that Rawson’s information was unreliable; and that
Rawson’s conclusions were unnecessary:
There is no accident reconstruction done here. There’s a man who has
qualifications as an accident reconstructionist – that’s stipulated and accepted
– who comes to the scene approximately two years after the accident to
determine lines of sight.
Now, is that relevant or can that be relevant and assist the trier of fact for him
to offer an opinion on that; and the answer to that is yes.
But an accident reconstructionist’s specialized expertise revolves around the
reconstruction of the accident; and he didn’t reconstruct the accident. He
extrapolated some information from a police report and photographs, which
are, absent a photographic expert, not suitable evidentiary matters for the
reconstruction of an accident.
I don’t know that you could do it with a layer of experts, but to calculate speed
you have to understand and the reconstructionist has to factor in crush damage
to the vehicles. Skid marks are not determined from photographs. I know that
much about accident reconstruction, and that’s what he purports to do, and his
information is not based upon sufficient facts or data, and the testimony is not
a product of reliable principles and methods, because none of any significance,
other than a couple of mathematical calculations that could have been done by
a high school student, were employed in this case, none, no coefficients, no
reaction time, none of the things that a true accident reconstruction could use
to benefit the jury.
Any conclusions that he has that are accurate and valid, based upon the limited
information he had, are certainly subject to be overridden by the confusion
associated with the conclusions that he draws based upon insufficient facts and
data to arrive at those conclusions, some of which are legal conclusions that
he doesn’t necessarily need to render because they certainly invade the
province of the jury.
I’m of the opinion that preDaubert, whatever, let it come in. PostDaubert this
Court is the gatekeeper of evidentiary matters, particularly expert testimony.
7
I am of the decided opinion that under the Daubert standard that the Court
would be committing error to allow this testimony to come in as proffered to
the Court, that being the deposition that I have read in full numbered 31 pages.
¶12. The plaintiffs then tried to admit portions of Rawson’s deposition pertaining to
measurements and distances. The trial court refused this request but allowed plaintiffs’
counsel to proffer Rawson's deposition, report, and curriculum vitae as exhibits for
identification purposes only. Denham and Caldwell objected to this ruling, and the trial court
overruled their objections.
¶13. During closing arguments, defense counsel commented on the plaintiffs’ failure to
provide expert testimony after plaintiffs’ counsel had informed the jury in opening statements
that such evidence would be offered. The reason the plaintiffs had not offered expert
testimony was due to the trial court’s exclusion of such testimony. Plaintiffs’ counsel
objected and moved for a mistrial. The trial court overruled the objection, denied the motion
for a mistrial, and did not admonish the jury to disregard defense counsel’s statements. The
trial judge also granted jury instructions D-4 and D-9, over the plaintiffs’ objections.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
¶14. Before the Court of Appeals, Denham and Caldwell asserted that the trial court had
erred by: “(1) excluding the testimony of their expert witness; (2) allowing Holmes’s attorney
to make reference during closing arguments to the lack of expert testimony; (3) granting jury
instructions D-4 and D-9; (4) denying their motion for a JNOV; and (5) denying their motion
for a new trial.”
8
¶15. The Court of Appeals reversed the judgment of the Lafayette County Circuit Court,
finding that the trial court had abused its discretion by failing to permit the plaintiffs’
accident reconstructionist to testify; by failing to instruct the jury to disregard defense
counsel’s comments during closing argument; and by granting Holmes’s proffered jury
instructions D-4 and D-9.
¶16. We restate and reorder the assignments of error for the sake of today’s discussion.
DISCUSSION
I. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY
GRANTING JURY INSTRUCTIONS D-4 AND D-9.
¶17. Jury instructions are to be read as a whole. Bickham v. Grant, 861 So. 2d 299, 301
(Miss. 2003) (citing Southland Enters., Inc. v. Newton County, 838 So. 2d 286, 289 (Miss.
2003)). The trial judge has considerable discretion in instructing the jury. Id. A defendant
generally is entitled to an instruction which presents his side of the case; however, such
instruction must correctly state the law. Id. (citing Southland Enters., Inc., 838 So. 2d at
289) (citations omitted)). Furthermore, “[i]t would be error to grant an instruction which is
likely to mislead or confuse the jury as to the principles of law applicable to the facts in
evidence.” Id. (citing Southland Enters., Inc., 838 So. 2d at 289); see also McCary v.
Caperton, 601 So. 2d 866, 869 (Miss. 1992), overruled on other grounds by Robinson
Property Group, L.P. v. Mitchell, 7 So. 3d 240, 244-45 (Miss. 2009).
¶18. The Court of Appeals found that the trial judge erred when, over objection, he granted
jury instructions D-4 and D-9. Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494, at *5 (¶¶23-25).
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¶19. Instruction D-4 states:
The violation of any posted speed limit or allegations of driving at an
excessive speed are only relevant if the plaintiff has shown, from a
preponderance of the evidence, that the speed of Adam Holmes was the sole
proximate cause or proximate contributing cause to the accident. Unlawful
speed is not a proximate cause of an accident caused by the intervening
negligence of another person.
Therefore, should you find from a preponderance of the evidence that the
motor vehicle accident of July 15, 2004 was the sole proximate cause of the
actions of Paula Denham, then any violation of the speed limit or allegations
of driving at an excessive speed are irrelevant to your decision.
¶20. Instruction D-9 states:
When considering who is at fault for an accident, and/or injuries, you may take
into account the conduct of those who are not parties to this lawsuit. Although,
not a party to this lawsuit, you may consider the actions or omissions of Paula
Denham in reaching your verdict.
¶21. The Court of Appeals held that Instruction D-4 misstated the law of comparative
negligence4 and conflicted with a second jury instruction, D-10, regarding assigning
negligence/fault percentages. Id. In addition, the Court of Appeals reasoned that Instruction
D-9 clearly misstated the facts, because, contrary to the language of the instruction, Denham
was a party to the lawsuit. Id.
¶22. “Defects in specific instructions do not require reversal ‘where all instructions taken
as a whole fairly – although not perfectly – announce the applicable primary rules of law.’”
Richardson v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 923 So. 2d 1002, 1011 (Miss. 2006) (quoting Bradford
4
“Mississippi is a pure comparative[-]negligence state.” Coho Res., Inc. v. Chapman,
913 So. 2d 899, 911 (Miss. 2005) (citing Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15 (Rev. 2004)).
10
v. Barnett, 615 So. 2d 580, 583 (Miss. 1993)). Viewing all the jury instructions and
considering these instructions as a whole, this Court cannot say that Instruction D-4 “fairly”
announced the law. Not only does Instruction D-4 misstate the law, but it conflicts
irreconcilably with Instruction D-10.5
¶23. This Court agrees with the Court of Appeals that Instruction D-4 improperly stated
that “[u]nlawful speed is not a proximate cause of an accident caused by the intervening
negligence of another person.” But again, our reasoning in finding fault with this instruction
is somewhat different than that of the Court of Appeals.6 Our problem with this instruction
is that the jury was informed that, even if it found that Holmes’s speed at the time of the
accident was in excess of the posted speed limit, and even if the jury found that this unlawful
speed was a proximate cause of the accident, Holmes still could avoid culpability due to the
“intervening negligence of another person,” for example, Denham. Likewise, contrary to the
assertions of Holmes that any confusion caused by the language of the first paragraph of the
jury instruction was remedied by the second paragraph of the instruction, we find that, in
reading the two paragraphs of Instruction D-4 together as a whole, the second paragraph of
the jury instruction only added to the confusion. In the end, we find that Instruction D-4
5
Instruction D-10 was the familiar form-of-the-verdict instruction based on
comparative negligence.
6
The Court of Appeals stated, in part, that “[a]s it implied contributory negligence,
we find that jury instruction D-4 was a misstatement of the law and was potentially
misleading to the jury.” Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494, at *5 (¶23).
11
misstated the law and likely confused and misled the jury, especially in light of Instruction
D-10.
¶24. Furthermore, we do agree that, while Instruction D-9 was obviously incorrect in
stating that Denham was not a party to the lawsuit, on the other hand, Denham was the driver
of the other vehicle in the accident, and the record reveals that counsel for both the plaintiffs
and the defendant referred to Denham as the driver during opening statements and closing
arguments. Moreover, the trial court provided a form-of-the-verdict instruction, allowing the
jury to consider the negligence, if any, of both Holmes and Denham when rendering the
verdict. This form-of-the-verdict instruction was consistent with Instruction D-9, which
instructed the jury that it could consider the negligence of Denham in reaching a verdict.
While permitting the defendant to offer Instruction D-9 was error, the trial court did not
commit reversible error in granting this instruction, since it was unlikely to have confused
the jury’s understanding of the facts in evidence. Grant, 861 So. 2d at 301 (citing Southland
Enters., Inc., 838 So. 2d at 289) (citations omitted).
¶25. For these reasons, while we agree with the Court of Appeals that the trial court’s grant
of Instruction D-4 was reversible error, we disagree with the Court of Appeals in its finding
that the trial court’s grant of Instruction D-9 was likewise reversible error.
II. W HETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY NOT
INSTRUCTING THE JURY TO DISREGARD DEFENSE
COUNSEL’S STATEM ENTS DUR ING CLOSING
ARGUMENTS.
12
¶26. In opening statements, plaintiffs’ counsel had informed the jury that expert testimony
would support a finding that Holmes had caused the accident. During closing arguments,
after plaintiffs’ counsel did not offer any expert testimony because the trial judge had
excluded such testimony, defense counsel stated:
Now they want to talk about property damage and where the vehicle ended up.
There’s no evidence. There’s no evidence here of how fast what causes what
property damage, what speeds cause what property damage. The plaintiff,
[through counsel], got up and told you that you would hear from the witnesses
and you would hear from an experts [sic] get up and testify.
Plaintiffs’ counsel objected and moved for a mistrial. The trial court overruled both the
objection to the remarks and the motion for a mistrial.
¶27. The Court of Appeals found that the trial judge had committed reversible error in not
sustaining the objection and instructing the jury to disregard these comments made by
defense counsel. Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494, at *4 (¶18). The Court of Appeals reasoned
that “Holmes’s counsel’s comments . . . were not made in furtherance of evaluating the
evidence or understanding the law; rather the comments were made to arouse prejudice in
the eyes of the jury.” Id.
¶28. This Court has held that “[t]he test in determining whether a lawyer has made an
improper argument which requires reversal is ‘whether the natural and probable effect of the
improper argument . . . creates an unjust prejudice against the opposing party resulting in a
decision influenced by the prejudice so created.’” Eckman v. Moore, 876 So. 2d 975, 986
(¶38) (Miss. 2004) (quoting Davis v. State, 530 So. 2d 694, 701-02 (Miss. 1988)). Moreover,
“[t]he only legitimate purpose of the [closing] argument of counsel in a jury case is to assist
13
the jurors in evaluating the evidence and in understanding the law and in applying it to the
facts.” Shell Oil Co. v. Pou, 204 So. 2d 155, 157 (Miss. 1967).
¶29. In Clemons v. State, 320 So. 2d 368, 369 (Miss. 1975), the prosecutors described the
evidence – marihuana – as being “the stuff that cause[s] people to drown little babies” and
to go crazy. Later, the prosecutor argued that the defense had failed to call certain witnesses
because they all were in criminal cahoots and were trying to protect each other. Id. at 370.
In the same argument, the prosecutor pointed to other criminal defendants – in unrelated
cases – as “[b]irds of a feather” waiting to be tried for crimes. Id. Finding these statements
obviously prejudiced the defendant’s right to fair trial, this Court reversed and remanded. Id.
at 373.
¶30. In Davis v. State, 530 So. 2d 694, 701 (Miss. 1988), the prosecutor – in an armed-
robbery case – referred to the incident as being “a heartbeat away from a massacre. . . .” The
judge admonished the jury to disregard this statement, and this Court found the prosecutor’s
statement was harmless. Id. at 702. In Roundtree v. State, 568 So. 2d 1173, 1177 (Miss.
1990), the prosecutor remarked that the people of the county were fed up with waking up in
the mornings to news of another body being discovered. The judge admonished the jury to
disregard this statement. Id. at 1178. This Court found the statements improper but found
that the judge’s admonishment had cured any prejudicial effect. Id.
¶31. Recently, in Eckman, the plaintiff stated that the physician defendant thought he was
“above the law.” Eckman, 876 So. 2d at 987. We reiterated that “[t]he only legitimate
purpose of the [closing] argument of counsel in a jury case is to assist the jurors in evaluating
14
the evidence and in understanding the law and in applying it to the facts. Appeals to passion
or prejudice are always improper and should never be allowed.” Id. (quoting Shell Oil Co.,
204 So. 2d at 157). This Court found that the trial court had erred “in finding that this
improper argument did not exceed the bounds of the evidence.” Id. The plaintiffs’ statement
had nothing to do with the standard of care at issue. Id.
¶32. In today’s case, we agree that defense counsel made the objectionable statements with
the intent of being “prejudicial” to the other side’s case. The reality of our advocacy system
is that the purpose of a party’s presentation of evidence and the comments of that party’s
counsel, throughout the trial, is to aid that party’s case, and to “prejudice” (be detrimental to)
the other party’s case. As to the objectionable comments made by defense counsel during
closing arguments in today’s case, these statements, while perhaps prejudicial (detrimental)
to the plaintiffs’ case, were not “unjust[ly]” prejudicial. Davis, 530 So. 2d at 701-02. The
plaintiffs, through counsel, had remarked in opening statements that they would introduce
expert testimony into evidence; however, based on the trial court’s ruling during trial as to
the plaintiffs’ expert, the plaintiffs failed (were unable) to present this expert testimony.
Defense counsel’s bringing to the jury’s attention this “missing link” in the plaintiffs’
evidence most likely harmed the plaintiffs’ case. But, acting at their own peril, the plaintiffs
invited this comment by informing the jury during opening statements that they would
provide expert testimony during the trial but failing to do so. See Taylor v. State, 672 So. 2d
1246, 1269 (Miss. 1996) (holding that the State may respond in its closing arguments to
defense counsel’s failure to follow through on promises of proof to come made during
15
opening statements) ; Herring v. Poirrier, 797 So. 2d 797, 804 (Miss. 2000) (holding that
plaintiff may not make comments during opening statements and then complain when the
opposing party reasonably attempts to respond to them); Echols v. State, 759 So. 2d 495,
497-98 (Miss. Ct. App. 2000) (reasoning that defense counsel’s remarks during the opening
statement and a subsequent lack of supporting evidence “invited the State’s remarks in the
closing argument”); Hinton v. Waste Techniques Corp., 364 A.2d 724, 728 (Penn. 1976)
(“An attorney [in a civil case] cannot promise to prove certain facts to the jury, fail to prove
them, and then expect to escape with impunity.”).
¶33. Thus, the Court of Appeals should not have found that defense counsel committed
error by identifying a legitimate evidentiary weakness in the plaintiffs’ case and rebutting the
plaintiffs’ opening statements. The facts of this case are distinguishable from cases in which
we have found unjust prejudice. For the foregoing reasons, we find the trial judge did not
commit error in failing to admonish the jury to disregard these comments made by defense
counsel during closing arguments.
III. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT PROPERLY EXCLUDED
THE PLAINTIFFS’ EXPERT TESTIMONY.
¶34. “The standard of review for the admission or exclusion of evidence, such as expert
testimony, is an abuse of discretion.” Investor Res. Servs., Inc., v. Cato, 15 So. 3d 412, 416
(Miss. 2010) (citing Adcock v. Miss. Transp. Comm’n, 981 So. 2d 942, 946 (Miss. 2008)).
This Court will not overturn a trial court’s decision on an evidentiary issue unless the trial
court abused its discretion, meaning it acted arbitrarily and clearly erroneously. Hubbard v.
16
McDonald’s Corp., 41 So. 3d 670, 674 (Miss. 2010) (citing Kilhullen v. Kansas City So.
Ry., 8 So. 3d 168, 172 (Miss. 2009)). “A trial judge’s determination as to whether a witness
is qualified to testify as an expert is given the widest possible discretion and that decision
will only be disturbed when there has been a clear abuse of discretion.” Worthy v. McNair,
37 So. 3d 609, 614 (Miss. 2010) (quoting Sheffield v. Goodwin, 740 So. 2d 854, 856 (Miss.
1999)).
¶35. The admissibility of expert testimony is evaluated in light of Mississippi Rule of
Evidence 702, which states:
If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of
fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness
qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education,
may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony
is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of
reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles
and methods reliably to the facts of the case.
This rule emphasizes that it is “the gate[-]keeping responsibility of the trial court to
determine whether the expert testimony is relevant and reliable.” M.R.E. 702 cmt.
¶36. For expert testimony to be admissible, it must be both relevant and reliable. Daubert
v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 592-94, 113 S. Ct. 2786, 125 L. Ed. 2d 469
(1993). “Relevance is established when the expert testimony is sufficiently tied to the facts
of the case that it will ‘assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact
in issue.’” Hubbard, 41 So. 3d at 675 (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 591). To be reliable,
“the testimony must be grounded in the methods and procedures of science, not merely a
17
subjective belief or unsupported speculation.” Worthy, 37 So. 2d at 615 (citing Miss. Transp.
Comm’n v. McLemore, 863 So. 2d 31, 36 (Miss. 2003)) (citations omitted).
¶37. We have stated that “an expert’s testimony is presumptively admissible when relevant
and reliable.” Hubbard, 41 So. 3d at 675 (quoting McLemore, 863 So. 2d at 39). “The
weight and credibility of expert testimony are matters for determination by the trier of fact.”
Id. (quoting Univ. Med. Ctr. v. Martin, 994 So. 2d 740, 747 (Miss. 2008)) (citations
omitted). “Vigorous cross-examination, presentation of contrary evidence, and careful
instruction on the burden of proof are the traditional and appropriate means of attacking
shaky but admissible evidence.” Id. (quoting McLemore, 863 So. 2d at 36 (quoting Daubert,
509 U.S. at 596)).
¶38. Ultimately, if an expert’s testimony survives the threshold scrutiny under Rule 702,
it is subject to further review under Rule 403. See Worthy, 37 So. 3d at 614 (citing Daubert,
509 U.S. at 595) (“The [trial] judge in weighing possible prejudice against probative force
under Rule 403 of the present rules exercises more control over experts than lay witnesses.”).
“[E]xpert evidence can be both powerful and quite misleading . . . .” Daubert, 509 U.S. at
595. Accordingly, “lack of reliable support may render [expert testimony] more prejudicial
than probative” under Rule 403. Viterbo v. Dow Chem. Co., 826 F.2d 420, 422 (5th Cir.
1987).
¶39. Rawson’s deposition testimony concluded that, based on basic mathematics and the
lack of skid marks, Holmes should have avoided the accident. Specifically, Rawson’s
deposition testimony concluded that Denham was not negligent and did not create an
18
immediate hazard when turning, because there were no skid marks. Denham and Caldwell
argued that the trial court should have admitted this deposition testimony because “several
of the jury instructions hinged on the speed of Holmes’s vehicle and distance between the
vehicles.” Denham, 2010 WL 1037494, at *3 (¶11).
¶40. The Court of Appeals agreed, finding that Rawson’s deposition testimony “was
technical in nature and would have assisted the jury in understanding the evidence and
determining the facts in issue.” Holmes, 2010 WL 1037494, at *3 (¶14). The Court of
Appeals further found that, because the “testimony was based on the facts available from the
accident scene . . . then this testimony should have been admitted.” Id. And the Court of
Appeals reasoned that, because the jury had no expert testimony from which to determine the
negligence of the parties, the jury “did not have sufficient information from which to reach
a verdict.” Id.
¶41. In Hollingsworth v. Bovaird Supply Co., 465 So. 2d 311, 315 (Miss. 1985), this Court
first held that a properly qualified and examined expert witness could provide testimony on
issues of ultimate fact regarding the cause of car wrecks without invading the jury’s province
– essentially placing accident reconstructionist experts on equal footing with other experts.
Under Daubert, however, Rawson’s testimony must still be both relevant and reliable.
Daubert, 509 U.S. at 591-2.
1. Relevance
¶42. This Court agrees that Rawson’s basic mathematics and timing estimates, based on
Holmes’s professed speed, were relevant. See Cato, 15 So. 3d at 418 (discussing the low
19
threshold for relevant evidence). Both the Court of Appeals and the trial court agreed that
Rawson’s timing and distance estimates would have assisted the trier of fact.
2. Reliability
¶43. However, contrary to the language in the Court of Appeals’ opinion, the mere
existence of expert testimony– based on the facts available from an accident scene – does not
mean that this testimony, although technical in nature, should be admitted as a matter of
course. See M.R.E. 702 (“If . . . technical . . . knowledge will assist the trier of fact to
understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness . . . may testify thereto in
the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data
. . . .”).
¶44. Rawson’s deposition testimony reveals that Rawson concluded Holmes had been
speeding. This opinion is based on Holmes’s admitted estimated speed. Based on this
estimated speed, Rawson performed some basic mathematical calculations to determine the
distance between Holmes’s car and Denham’s car.7 He also viewed several photographs and
determined no skid marks existed. He then made a second conclusion: that Denham had not
been negligent and that Holmes had failed to avoid the accident. Rawson reasoned that,
based on the lack of skid marks, Holmes had not attempted to avoid the accident:
[Defense Attorney]: If I understand it right, traveling at -- in excess of the
speed limit was -- the basis of your opinion was simply the 45 miles per hour
written on the police report.
7
Rawson indicated in his report that no physical evidence permitted him to test
Holmes’s speed.
20
[Rawson]: That’s correct.
[Defense Attorney]: Nothing else?
[Rawson]: Nothing else.
[Defense Attorney]: The failure to take appropriate action – and when you say
that, are you saying to avoid the accident?
[Rawson]: Yes, sir.
[Defense Attorney]: Okay. Failure to take appropriate action to avoid the
accident, it is simply by no evidence of skidding, no skidmarks on the
pavement?
[Rawson]: That’s correct.
Rawson could not perform any tests to confirm or disprove Holmes’s estimated constant
speed of forty-five miles per hour.8 As the Court of Appeals acknowledged, little physical
evidence in this case lent itself to expert analysis in the field of accident reconstruction to aid
the jury.
¶45. Reviewing Rawson’s conclusions based on the limited evidence in this case, we
cannot say the trial judge abused his discretion in finding this deposition testimony to be
unreliable as expert testimony with regard to Rawson’s ultimate conclusion concerning
causation and avoidance. But we agree with the Court of Appeals to the extent that the trial
court should have permitted Rawson to offer his timing and distance estimates to aid the jury.
A. Timing & Distance Estimates
¶46. Rawson’s ultimate conclusion – that Holmes should have avoided the accident –
assumed that Holmes’s estimated speed was correct and further assumed that Holmes had
constantly maintained his estimated rate of speed until impact.
8
At trial, Holmes testified that he had told police that he estimated his speed to have
been between forty and forty-five miles per hour. He also testified that he had slowed to
thirty miles per hour when Denham’s car had turned into his lane.
21
¶47. Rawson’s testimony hinges on precise timing – the difference between 3.12 seconds
and 3.62 seconds. If these assumptions were incorrect, then Holmes would not have been
206 feet away from the plaintiff’s car when it began to turn. Consequently, his conclusions
regarding accident avoidance and the fact that Denham did not create an immediate hazard
most likely would have been altered.
¶48. Evidentiary weaknesses stemming from a lack of physical evidence in the plaintiffs’
case should not induce the introduction of unreliable expert testimony. See M.R.E. 702.
Generally, however, when expert opinion is based on reliable methodology, the facts as
applied in the methodology are a credibility determination for the jury. See Treasure Bay
Corp. v. Ricard, 967 So. 2d 1235, 1240 (Miss. 2007). Here, Rawson relied on basic
mathematics – an obviously reliable methodology – to create his timing and distance
estimates. In reaching his conclusions, Rawson applied facts in the record, including
Holmes’s estimated speed of forty-five miles per hour.
¶49. While Rawson’s timing and distance estimates arguably were shaky, the credibility
of this portion of Rawson’s deposition was an issue for the trier of fact. See id. (“[E]xperts
in many fields, including medicine, accident reconstruction and forensic pathology,
frequently rely on histories provided by patients and witnesses.”); see also Hubbard, 41 So.
3d at 675 (quoting McLemore, 863 So. 2d at 36 (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 596))
(“Vigorous cross-examination, presentation of contrary evidence, and careful instruction on
the burden of proof are the traditional and appropriate means of attacking shaky but
admissible evidence.”).
22
¶50. Moreover, although the trial judge expressed concern over whether Rawson had
performed a true accident reconstruction, this Court finds that Rawson’s testimony regarding
his timing and distance estimates, based on common mathematics, did constitute expert
testimony in the field of accident reconstruction. Although jurors could have performed
Rawson’s common calculations, Rawson collected data from the accident using his
specialized knowledge. He measured sight distances, timed cars, and determined the location
of the accident from the available evidence. He interpreted this evidence and, ultimately,
based on this limited evidence, he reached conclusions about causation and avoidance. As
applied mathematically and at the accident site, Rawson’s expert analysis and methods
regarding timing and distance estimates, were beyond the average juror’s “common
knowledge” and should have been presented to the jury. Palmer v. Biloxi Reg’l Med. Ctr.,
Inc., 564 So. 2d 1346, 1355 (Miss. 1990); Smith v. Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, Inc., 991
So. 2d 1228, 1230 (Miss. Ct. App. 2008); see also 9 Am. Jur. 3d Proof of Facts § 115, 4
(2010) (Trial court should admit expert testimony if relying on the “‘knowledge and
application of principles of physics, engineering, and other sciences [is] beyond the ken of
the average juror.’”).
B. Lack of Skid Marks
¶51. Under Daubert, all of Rawson’s relevant conclusions, however, must have been
sufficiently reliable. We find that Rawson’s ultimate conclusion regarding causation and
avoidance was not sufficiently reliable. Based on the lack of skid marks, Rawson concluded
that Denham had not negligently caused an immediate hazard when she had turned in front
23
of Holmes. Rawson reasoned that if Denham had caused an immediate hazard, then Holmes
would have applied his brakes and left skid marks or swerve marks. And since no skid marks
existed, according to Rawson, Denham could not have been negligent.
¶52. But other than speaking generally about creating immediate hazards and pointing to
the lack of skid marks, Rawson’s deposition testimony never clearly explained under the
limited physical evidence why skid marks were required for a finding that Holmes had
attempted to avoid the accident:
[Defense Attorney]: Now, we can agree that in the general course of traffic,
disregarding the events of this accident, in the general course of traffic,
vehicles not turning left and in clear sight, they would have the right-of-way
to vehicles turning left on the eastbound lane?
[Rawson]: Unless they created an immediate hazard?
....
[Defense Attorney]: Okay. So in this case, Ms. Denham created an immediate
hazard?
[Rawson]: No, she didn’t.
[Defense Attorney]: And so in this case, if she didn’t create an immediate
hazard, then how does Mr. Holmes not have the right-of-way?
[Rawson]: He didn’t attempt to avoid the accident.
[Defense Attorney]: Okay. And if I’m clear – I’m not clear. Can you state that
again?
[Rawson]: Had she created an immediate hazard, she would have caused him
to respond by locking his brakes or swerving left or right to take
immediate evasive action. She did not. She made her turn in sufficient time
for him to have slowed by normal brake and still avoid the accident.
[Defense Attorney]: Okay. And how does that situation – how does that
eliminate his right-of-way?
[Rawson]: Well, the law says if someone is turning and they don’t create an
immediate hazard, they have the right-of-way.
....
[Defense Attorney]: And is that the basis of your opinion that Ms. Denham
held no negligence, is the fact that the rules of the road state that when a
vehicle is turning left and turns – I’m sorry. I just – if you can state that for me
again so I’m clear.
24
[Rawson]: Okay. If the vehicle that makes a left turn across traffic does not
create an immediate hazard, the oncoming traffic has to yield to him or her.
[Defense Attorney]: So if you make a left turn across oncoming traffic, the
oncoming traffic then has the duty to yield to you?
[Rawson]: Yes, sir.
[Defense Attorney]: Which, I guess, would be the basis for your opinion that
he should have avoided the accident?
[Rawson]: Yes, sir.
(Emphasis added.) Based simply on the absence of skid marks, Rawson concluded that
Denham had not been negligent and that Denham had the right of way. Rawson also
concluded that Holmes had not attempted to avoid the accident.9
¶53. Even though “[v]igorous cross-examination, presentation of contrary evidence, and
careful instruction on the burden of proof are the traditional and appropriate means of
attacking shaky but admissible evidence[,]” this Court cannot say that the trial judge acted
arbitrarily by finding that Rawson’s ultimate conclusion regarding causation and avoidance
did not satisfy Daubert’s reliability standard. Hubbard, 41 So. 3d at 675 (quoting
McLemore, 863 So. 2d at 36 (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 596)). “[N]othing in . . . Daubert
. . . requires a . . . court to admit opinion evidence which is connected to existing data only
by the ipse dixit of the expert. A court may conclude that there is simply too great an
analytical gap between the data and the opinion proffered.” Watts v. Radiator Specialty Co.,
990 So. 2d 143, 149 (Miss. 2008).
9
On the other hand, Holmes testified that, once Denham had pulled in front of him,
he slowed his truck to a speed of thirty miles per hour in an effort to avoid the accident.
25
¶54. While this Court has allowed, when appropriate, an accident reconstructionist to opine
as to ultimate conclusions regarding causation, Rawson’s ultimate conclusion as articulated
in his deposition testimony, based on the lack of skid marks, contained an obvious “analytical
gap.” Therefore, we cannot say that the trial judge abused his discretion in excluding this
testimony. Simply stated, Rawson failed to connect the dots between the skid marks and the
existing physical evidence; thus, as found by the trial judge, his conclusion regarding
causation was unreliable.
¶55. Moreover, Rawson’s conclusion regarding whether Denham had created an immediate
hazard was not based on specialized, technical, or scientific knowledge. See M.R.E. 702
(requiring “scientific, technical, [or] specialized knowledge”). As previously mentioned,
Rawson opined that, because no skid marks were present in the black-and-white photographs,
Holmes did not attempt to avoid the accident, although he had a duty to do so. However,
Holmes testified that he did brake to avoid the accident, probably slowed to thirty miles per
hour, and sought to circumvent Denham’s car in the gravel lot off the highway where the
collision occurred. Durham, Holmes’s passenger, stated that Denham’s vehicle had pulled
in front of Holmes’s truck at the last second. On the other hand, Denham and Caldwell
testified that they never saw Holmes’s truck approaching, and that he must have been driving
“crazy fast.”
¶56. Without clearly tying the physical evidence to the lack of skid marks, Rawson’s
speculation “on the implication of the lack of skid marks would not have been superior to a
conclusion a jury could [have drawn] for themselves” and, therefore, was not necessary. See
26
Garnett v. Gov’t Employees Ins. Co., 186 P.3d 935, 946 (Okla. 2008); Palmer, 564 So. 2d
at 1355 (Miss. 1990) (“Expert testimony is required unless the matter in issue is within the
common knowledge of laymen.”); Scott v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 789 F.2d 1052, 1055 (4th
Cir. 1986) (“[E]xpert testimony is unnecessary . . . when ordinary experience would render
the jury competent to decide the issue.”).
¶57. “A trial judge’s determination as to whether a witness is qualified to testify as an
expert is given the widest possible discretion . . . .” Worthy, 37 So. 3d at 614 (quoting Univ.
of Miss. Med. Ctr. v. Pounders, 970 So. 2d 141, 146 (Miss. 2007)). Viewing Rawson’s
deposition testimony in its entirety, we find that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion
by not allowing into evidence expert testimony that was clearly speculative and based on
insufficient data. But the trial court did abuse its discretion by not permitting the jury to
weigh the credibility of Rawson’s distance and timing estimates, which largely were based
on facts in the record and would have aided the jury.
CONCLUSION
¶58. We agree with the Court of Appeals’ finding that the trial judge erred by granting
Instruction D-4, but we disagree with the Court of Appeals’ finding that the trial judge erred
in granting Instruction D-9. We disagree with the Court of Appeals’ finding that the trial
judge committed error by not instructing the jury to ignore defense counsel’s comments
during closing arguments concerning the plaintiffs’ inability to provide expert testimony.
Defense counsel’s statements did not unjustly prejudice the plaintiffs. Finally, we agree in
part and disagree in part with the Court of Appeals’ finding that the trial judge erroneously
27
excluded the testimony of the plaintiffs’ expert. In viewing the entirety of Rawson’s
deposition testimony, we find that the learned trial judge did not err in performing his role
as gatekeeper under Mississippi Rule of Evidence 702 and Daubert regarding Rawson’s
ultimate conclusions. But we likewise are constrained to find that the trial judge abused his
discretion in disallowing Rawson’s testimony concerning timing and distance estimates.
¶59. In sum, based on today’s discussion, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeals,
although for different reasons, and we reverse the trial-court judgment and remand this case
to the Circuit Court of Lafayette County for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
¶60. THE JUDGMENT OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IS AFFIRMED. THE
JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY IS
REVERSED AND THE CASE IS REMANDED.
WALLER, C.J., LAMAR, CHANDLER AND PIERCE, JJ., CONCUR.
KITCHENS, J., CONCURS IN PART AND DISSENTS IN PART WITH SEPARATE
WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY DICKINSON, P.J., AND RANDOLPH, J. KING,
J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
KITCHENS, JUSTICE, CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN
PART:
¶61. I disagree with the majority’s finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in excluding Donald Rawson’s expert testimony regarding the lack of skid marks, as they
related to causation and avoidance of the accident.10 In all other respects, I concur with the
majority.
10
Rawson’s qualifications as an expert in accident reconstruction have not been
challenged.
28
¶62. I agree with the majority’s summary of the Daubert standard; however, I disagree
with its conclusion that Rawson’s opinion, as it related to the lack of skid marks, was
unreliable and inadmissible. See Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 592-
94, 113 S. Ct. 2786, 125 L. Ed. 2d 469 (1993).
¶63. Mississippi Rule of Evidence 702 provides:
If scientific, technical or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of
fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness
qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training or education,
may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony
is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of
reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles
and methods reliably to the facts of the case.
“Rule 702 seeks to encourage the use of expert testimony in non-opinion form when counsel
believes the trier [of fact] can draw the requisite inference.” Miss. R. Evid. 702 cmt.
Additionally, it is possible for an expert to suggest the inference which should be drawn from
applying his specialized knowledge to the facts. Id. Moreover, “[t]his Court has permitted
the testimony of qualified accident reconstruction experts to give opinions on how an
accident happened, the point of impact, the angle of travel, the responsibility of the parties
involved, and the interpretation of photographs.” Fielder v. Magnolia Beverage Co., 757
So. 2d 925, 937-38 (Miss. 1999) (citing Miller v. Stiglet, Inc., 523 So. 2d 55 (Miss. 1988);
Hollingsworth v. Bovaird Supply Co., 465 So. 2d 311 (Miss. 1985)).
¶64. “It is not necessary that one offering to testify as an expert be infallible or possess the
highest degree of skill; it is sufficient if that person possesses peculiar knowledge or
information regarding the relevant subject matter which is not likely to be possessed by a
29
layman.” Hooten v. State, 492 So. 2d 948, 948 (Miss. 1986) (citing Henry v. State, 484 So.
2d 1012 (Miss. 1986)). In this case, Rawson had been employed with the Mississippi
Highway Safety Patrol since 1968, and, over the course of his employment and training, he
had become an expert in the field of accident reconstruction, which had led to his teaching
and publishing literature in that field. Clearly, Rawson possessed particular knowledge and
information regarding accident reconstruction that laypersons usually do not have.
¶65. In his deposition, Rawson concluded that Holmes had been traveling in excess of the
posted speed limit and that he had failed to take appropriate evasive action to avoid the
accident. Rawson’s report provided an explanation for each of his findings. Specifically,
Rawson’s report said that:
1. The Pontiac stopped eastbound on University Ave[.] to initiate a left
turn into a private drive. This opinion is based upon my review of the
Crash Report filed by the Sheriff’s office.
2. As the Pontiac was making a left turn it was struck in the front right
side by the front left of the westbound Chevrolet PU. This opinion is
based on my observation of the scene and vehicle photos as well as
plaintiff’s statements.
3. The Area of Impact was located at the north edge of University Ave[.]
and the middle of the private drive. This opinion is a result of my
observation of a photo depicting a tire scuff in the gravel area.
4. The impact rotated the Pontiac counterclockwise causing a secondary
collision of the Pontiac rear right side with the rear left side of the
Chevrolet PU. Opinion based on the photos showing the secondary
damage.
5. There was no skid marks prior to impact. Opinion is based on the
absence of skid marks in the photos.
6. The Pontiac was able to accelerate to the impact in 3.13 seconds before
being hit and could have cleared the westbound lane in 3.62 seconds.
This opinion was based on timed cars making a left turn at the collision
site.
30
7. The PU was approximately 206 feet from impact with a clear view of
the scene when the Pontiac entered his lane. This opinion is based on
the Crash Report in which the Chevrolet PU driver estimated his speed
at 45 mph, opinion #6 and my observations at the scene.
8. The speed of the PU was 45 miles per hour on impact. Opinion based
on the estimated speed of the PU driver and the absence of skid marks.
9. There is not a method to determine speed of the vehicle’s speed using
physical evidence. This opinion is based on the use of conservation of
linear momentum normally used in the case to determine speeds, but
necessary data is not available because:
a. The site has been altered due to construction in the post impact
areas.
b. The secondary collision has some input in speed and direction.
10. Using the posted speed limit of 40 mph, the PU could have reacted to
the car turning and applied normal braking and the Pontiac would not
create an immediate hazard. This would have allowed the PU to slow
to 31 mph and would have allowed the car to clear the lane in the 3.62
seconds required because he would arrive at the area of impact 3.72
seconds after perception. This opinion is a calculated value using the
speed limit of 40 mph, the normal braking value and the standard
perception-reaction time.
11. From the speed of 40 mph (posted speed limit). The driver could have
stopped the PU in 194 feet by reacting and locking his brakes. This is
12 feet prior to impact. This opinion is a calculated value based on the
road surface’s coefficient of friction.
(Emphasis in original.)
¶66. The majority asserted that “Rawson failed to connect the dots between the skid marks
and the existing physical evidence; thus, as found by the trial judge, his conclusion regarding
causation was unreliable.” Maj. Op. at ¶ 54. However, Rawson’s report provided a basis for
each of his findings, including specific findings based on the accident report, accident photos,
the posted speed limit, Holmes’s admitted speed, the normal braking value, the standard
perception-reaction time, the road surface’s coefficient of friction, and his personal
observations of the scene.
31
¶67. I agree with the majority’s assertion that “Nothing in Daubert requires a court to
admit opinion evidence which is connected to existing data only by the ipse dixit of the
expert. A court may conclude that there is simply too great an analytical gap between the
data and the opinion proffered,” Maj. Op. at ¶ 53 (quoting Watts v. Radiator Specialty Co.,
990 So. 2d 143, 149 (Miss. 2008)). However, as evidenced by Rawson’s report, there was
sufficient evidence in the record to “connect the dots” of Rawson’s opinion regarding the
lack of skid marks, making his expert opinion reliable and admissible.
¶68. Moreover, Rawson’s report was dated June 11, 2006, and his trial deposition was
taken on July 3, 2006. Prior to the deposition, Holmes was on notice of Rawson’s opinions
and their bases. As such, Holmes could have challenged Rawson’s opinions by conducting
a vigorous examination of Rawson, and he could have presented contrary evidence through
an expert witness of his own. See Miss. Transp. Comm’n v. McLemore, 863 So. 2d 31, 36
(Miss. 2003) (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 595-96) (“Vigorous cross examination,
presentations of contrary evidence, and careful instruction on the burden of proof are the
traditional and appropriate means of attacking shaky but admissible evidence.”).
¶69. However, Holmes did not attempt to challenge the bases of Rawson’s opinions until
his ore tenus Daubert motion on the first day of trial, June 25, 2008, nearly two years after
Rawson’s deposition had been taken. While the trial judge acted within his discretion in
allowing the motion to be heard, one has to wonder why Holmes waited until trial to object
to expert testimony of which he had known the bases for more than two years. See Hyundai
Motor America v. Applewhite, So. 3d , 2011 WL 448032, *5 (Miss. 2011) (“[T]he trial
32
judge has discretion with regard to when and how to decide whether an expert’s testimony
is sufficiently reliable to be heard by a jury . . . .”).
¶70. Because Rawson is an educated and experienced accident reconstructionist who
possessed peculiar knowledge within his field not likely to be possessed by a layman, and
his opinions were not merely subjective belief or unsupported speculation but were based on
methods and procedures of science, the trial court abused its discretion in excluding
Rawson’s deposition in its entirety. Hooten v. State, 492 So. 2d at 948; McLemore, 863 So.
2d at 36. Accordingly, I would affirm the Court of Appeals’s reversal and remand of this
issue for a new trial with the inclusion of all of Rawson’s expert testimony.
DICKINSON, P.J., AND RANDOLPH, J., JOIN THIS OPNION.
33