Everett v. Town of Bristol

Plaintiff Constance Everett 1 appeals from a jury verdict in favor of defendant Town of Bristol, claiming the trial court erred by admitting highly inflammatory and unfairly prejudicial evidence as the basis for defendant’s psychiatric expert’s opinion, and allowing cross-examination of plaintiff regarding irrelevant and unfairly prejudicial personal history to attack plaintiff’s character and credibility. 2 We agree and reverse.

In September 1986, plaintiff fell when she was descending the front steps of the Bristol Town Hall. She filed a complaint in Chittenden Superior Court in June 1989,…