Harper v. Tveter et al, No. 2:2013cv00889 - Document 65 (D. Utah 2015)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM DECISION and ORDER denying 51 Motion in Limine to Exclude Gruesome and Cumulative Photographs. Signed by Judge Ted Stewart on 8/11/2015. (blh)

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Harper v. Tveter et al Doc. 65 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH TAYLOR HARPER, MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE GRUESOME AND CUMULATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS Plaintiff, v. MICHAEL TVETER, Defendant. Case No. 2:13-CV-889 TS District Judge Ted Stewart This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s Motion in Limine to Exclude Gruesome and Cumulative Photographs. In his Motion, Defendant seeks the exclusion of certain photographs of Plaintiff’s injuries and resulting scarring under Federal Rule of Evidence 403. Rule 403 states that “[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.” “Rule 403 does not protect a party from all prejudice, only unfair prejudice.” 1 Having reviewed the photographs at issue, the Court finds that Defendant has failed to show that the probative value of these photographs is substantially outweighed by their prejudicial effect. While some of the photos are graphic, they are necessary to demonstrate the nature and extent of Plaintiff’s injuries. Further, Plaintiff has agreed to remove some of the 1 Deters v. Equifax Credit Info. Servs., Inc., 202 F.3d 1262, 1274 (10th Cir. 2000). 1 Dockets.Justia.com duplicate photographs, lessening the potential for undue delay and needlessly presenting cumulative evidence. It is therefore ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion in Limine to Exclude Gruesome and Cumulative Photographs (Docket No. 51) is DENIED. DATED this 11th day of August, 2015. BY THE COURT: Ted Stewart United States District Judge 2

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