Davidson v. Beco Corp.

DONALDSON, Justice.*

Today we address whether, and under what conditions, a trial judge may admit statements contained in settlement negotiations to be used to impeach contrary testimony given at trial. We hold the statements may be admitted by a trial judge, but only after deciding their probative value outweighs the resulting prejudicial effect.

This case comes to us on a petition for review from our Court of Appeals. In a reported decision, Davidson v. Beco Corp., 112 Idaho 560, 733 P.2d 781 (Ct.App.1986), the appellate court addressed a number of issues: (1) whether a party needs to renew *108an…