Mayor of Baltimore v. Zell

In this condemnation action brought by Baltimore City, the City had employed an appraiser to evaluate the subject property but did not call that particular appraiser as a witness. The defendant property owners then called the same appraiser as a defense witness. The City did not attempt to show that the appraiser was biased and did not in any manner attack his credibility. Nevertheless, over the objection of the City, the trial court permitted defense counsel to bring out the fact that the City had initially employed the witness in connection with the case. The principal issue on this appeal…