State Highway & Transportation Commissioner v. Garland

In this appeal in an eminent domain proceeding, we consider whether the trial court erred in (1) permitting the landowners’ expert witness to testify respecting certain comparable sales, (2) permitting the expert to average the sale prices of the com-parables in arriving at his valuation of the subject property, and (3) refusing to examine two of the commissioners regarding alleged misconduct.

In September, 1978, the Highway Commissioner acquired 3.57 acres of land in Northumberland County owned by James and Mabel Garland for the improvement of Route 360. Following a view of the property and…