Rivers v. K-Mart Corp.

• Decision Date: 17 May 2013
• Docket Number: No. A13A0363.,A13A0363.
• Citation: 321 Ga.App. 788,743 S.E.2d 464
• Parties: RIVERS v. K–MART CORPORATION.
• Court: Georgia Court of Appeals

321 Ga.App. 788

743 S.E.2d 464

RIVERS

v.K–MART CORPORATION.

No. A13A0363.

Court of Appeals of Georgia.

May 17, 2013.

Gillis & Creasy, James Lewis–Kent Creasy III, for appellant.

Strawinski & Stout, James S. Strawinski, Daniel George Cheek, Atlanta, for appellee.

McMILLIAN, Judge.

We granted Richard Rivers' application for interlocutory appeal to determine whether the trial court erred by denying his motion in limine seeking to exclude evidence of his prior criminal record in his action against K–Mart Corporation for malicious prosecution. As more fully set forth below, we find it necessary to remand this case for further consideration as directed in this opinion.

As is pertinent here, the record shows that in November 2008, Rivers was arrested and prosecuted for allegedly shoplifting at a K–Mart store in Jonesboro, Georgia. The charges against him were ultimately dismissed, and he instituted the present action against K–Mart for malicious prosecution. During discovery, Rivers disclosed his extensive criminal record, including several convictions for various offenses and numerous arrests which did not result in convictions. Rivers sought to exclude the evidence as prejudicial and irrelevant to the issues being tried, and K–Mart opposed the motion, arguing that the evidence was relevant on the issue of damages, specifically Rivers' claim that he suffered emotional distress and anxiety as a result of his arrest and prosecution, and for purposes of impeachment.¹ The trial court agreed with K–Mart and denied the motion, finding that it was relevant for the jury to consider the evidence of Rivers' “exposure to the criminal justice system and its [e]ffect on him,” in evaluating Rivers' claims for damages based on his emotional distress and anxiety.² The trial court, however, did not make any findings concerning whether there was a danger that introduction of this evidence might prejudice Rivers' claim or confuse or mislead the jury.

“A trial court's ruling on a motion in limine is reviewed for abuse of discretion.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) McKissick v. Aydelott, 307 Ga.App. 688, 692(2), 705 S.E.2d 897 (2011).

The first question we consider is whether the evidence was, as the trial court found, relevant to Rivers' claim for damages based on emotional distress.³ At the time the motion in limine was decided, OCGA § 24–2–1 provided that “[e]vidence must relate to the questions being tried by the jury and bear upon them either directly or indirectly. Irrelevant matter should be excluded.” The new Evidence Code, under which this case will be tried,⁴ provides “the term ‘relevant evidence’ means evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” OCGA § 24–4–401. And pursuant to OCGA § 24–4–402, “[e]vidence which is not relevant shall not be admissible.”

We have held ⁵ that “[n]o precise and universal test of the relevancy of testimony is furnished by the law. The question must be determined in each case according to ... the teachings of reason and judicial experience.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Brock v. Wedincamp, 253 Ga.App. 275, 281(1), 558 S.E.2d 836 (2002). And “[e]vidence of doubtful relevancy or competency should be admitted and its weight left to the jurors.” (Citation omitted.) American Multi–Cinema, Inc. v. Walker, 270 Ga.App. 314, 319(4)(a), 605 S.E.2d 850 (2004).

Acknowledging our deference to the trial court's discretion, we recognize that the fact that Rivers has been arrested and incarcerated on numerous occasions might have some probative value on the issue of whether Rivers suffered emotional distress and anxiety when he was arrested and incarcerated after being accused of shoplifting at K–Mart. Udemba v. Nicoli, 237 F.3d 8, 15 (1st Cir.2001); Halvorsen v. Baird, 146 F.3d 680, 686–687(II)(B) (9th Cir.1998); Christmas v. City of Chicago, 691 F.Supp.2d 811, 817–818(I)(G) (N.D.Ill.2010); Gonzalez v. City of Tampa, 776 So.2d 290, 293 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App.2001). But concluding that the evidence is probative does not end our inquiry, and it should not have ended the trial court's either. At the time the motion in limine was decided, our law provided that

trial judges may exercise discretion in excluding relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the risk that its admission will confuse the issue, mislead the jury, or create substantial danger of undue prejudice. In making their decision, trial courts should consider the potential prejudice to the parties, the complexity of issues and the potential for jury confusion, and the relative convenience, economy, or delay that may result.

(Citation omitted.) Wood v. D.G. Jenkins Homes, Inc., 255 Ga.App. 572, 573, 565 S.E.2d 886 (2002).

Further, under the new Evidence Code, it is similarly stated that “[r]elevant evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.” OCGA § 24–4–403. As stated above, however, it does not appear from the trial court's order that the court considered whether Rivers' prior arrests nevertheless should be excluded because of their inherently prejudicial nature or because they...