Hurley v. Kent of Naples, Inc.

Full title: PATRICK HURLEY, Plaintiff, v. KENT OF NAPLES, INC., a Florida Corporation…

Court: United States District Court, M.D. Florida, Fort Myers Division

Date published: Jul 22, 2011

Case No. 2:10-cv-334-FtM-29SPC, Case No. 2:10-cv-752-FtM-29DNF (M.D. Fla. Jul. 22, 2011)

Opinion

Case No. 2:10-cv-334-FtM-29SPC, Case No. 2:10-cv-752-FtM-29DNF.

July 22, 2011

OPINION AND ORDER

JOHN STEELE, District Judge

This matter comes before the Court on the following motions: (1) Plaintiff's Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence of Plaintiff's Religious Beliefs Regarding Sexual Preferences (Doc. #33); (2) Defendant's Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony of Bernard Pettingill (Doc. #41); (3) Plaintiff's Motion in Limine to Exclude Unexecuted/Unsigned Charge of Discrimination Filed with EEOC and EEOC Determination (Doc. #43); (4) Defendant's Motion in Limine to Exclude FMLA Certification Form (Plaintiff's Exhibit 65) (Doc. #49); (5) Plaintiff's Motion to Extend Voir Dire Period by Attorneys (Doc. #52); and (6) Defendant's Motion to Strike Plaintiff's Exhibit List (Doc. #67). Responses (Docs. ## 40, 42, 44, 51, 70) were filed.

Plaintiff's Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence of Plaintiff's Religious Beliefs Regarding Sexual Preferences (Doc. #33) is denied. At trial, plaintiff is required to prove that he had a "serious health condition" within the meaning of the Family Medical Leave Act. It seems clear that defendant is entitled to examine plaintiff as to the reasons underlying the depression both to determine its actual existence and its severity. The evidence is therefore both relevant and its probative value is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, or considerations of undue delay, waste of time or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

Defendant's Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony of Bernard Pettingill (Doc. #41) is granted in part and denied in part. The Court finds that Dr. Pettingill is a qualified expert and may testify with regard to the calculation of back pay economic damages. Front pay is for the court, not the jury, and the court will not be utilizing an advisory jury as to equitable relief. Therefore, Dr. Pettingill will not be allowed to testify as to front pay issues. Plaintiff's Motion in Limine to Exclude Unexecuted/Unsigned Charge of Discrimination Filed with EEOC and EEOC Determination (Doc. #43) is denied. The charges of discrimination filed on plaintiff's behalf with the EEOC are clearly admissible at least for impeachment purposes as to the basis of his termination. To the extent there is an objection as to authentication of the document, defendant will have to establish its authenticity. Given the correspondence between counsel, the Court will allow defendant to depose plaintiff's prior attorney as to this document and call her as a witness at trial as necessary. The motion to exclude the document in limine is denied.

As to the determinations of the EEOC, the admission of such evidence is committed to the sound discretion of the trial court.Goldsmith v. Bagby Elevator Co., Inc., 513 F.3d 1261, 1288 (11th Cir. 2008). The Eleventh Circuit summarized the general principles:

EEOC determinations are generally admissible under the public records and reports exception to the hearsay rule contained in Federal Rule of Evidence 803(8)(C), unless "the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of trustworthiness" sufficient to justify exclusion from evidence. [] However, EEOC determinations may be excluded from evidence in a jury trial under Rule 403 where the probative value of the determination is "outweighed by the danger of creating unfair prejudice in the minds of a jury."

Blanton v. Univ. of Fla., 273 F. App'x 797, 804 (11th Cir. 2008) (citing Barfield v. Orange County, 911 F.2d 644, 650-51 (11th Cir. 1990)). The liberal admissibility of EEOC determinations does not apply to jury trial situations. Lathem v. Dep't of Children Youth Servs., 172 F.3d 786, 791 (11th Cir. 1999). "Instead, the district court must make the admissibility determination on an individual basis, considering the evidence's probative value and the danger of unfair prejudice." Id. The EEOC's determinations have not been filed with the court, therefore no basis exists on which the Court can exercise its discretion and therefore no basis on which the motion in limine can be granted.

Defendant's Motion in Limine to Exclude FMLA Certification Form (Plaintiff's Exhibit 65) (Doc. #49) is denied. The Court finds that the exhibit is both relevant to contested issues and its probative value is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, misleading the jury, or considerations of undue delay, waste of time or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

Plaintiff's Motion to Extend Voir Dire Period by Attorneys (Doc. #52). The Court will conduct voir dire in its usual fashion, finding nothing about this case or the issues which justify another procedure. The Court will consider written proposed voir dire questions, will examine the prospective jurors, and will allow counsel for both sides to ask brief follow-up questions. The motion is otherwise denied. Defendant's Motion to Strike Plaintiff's Exhibit List (Doc. #67) is denied.

Accordingly, it is now

ORDERED:

The motions are resolved as set forth above.

DONE AND ORDERED at Fort Myers, Florida.