He’s an expert, not a conduit.

August 1, 2018

In a civil commitment action under the Sexually Violent Predator Act, the appellant argued that the State’s expert was used as an impermissible “conduit” for unflattering factual information (inter alia, “records about appellant’s training and education, employment and medical histories, two prior sexual offenses, prison file, and a copy of the statutorily required MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) evaluation”). The Fifth Court rejected the argument, noting that the expert “was explaining the basis for his opinion using the type of information reasonably relied on by experts in his field (citation omitted),” and that “the trial court included a limiting instruction to further restrict the jury’s use of Turner’s opinion.” In re Commitment of Barnes, No. 05-17-00939-CV (July 20, 2018) (mem. op.)