Legal Opinion
Blake v. First Physicians Cor
Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Decided May 15, 2003No. 02-1810PublishedCited by 33 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
SELYA, Circuit Judge.
This appeal requires us to explore the limits of a trial judge’s authority to remove a significant piece of evidence from a jury’s consideration based upon his belief that the evidence lacks persuasive force. 1 We conclude that, in the circumstances of this case, the judge’s actions invaded the province of the jury. Because there is a reasonable likelihood that the error influenced the eventual verdict, we vacate the judgment as to the affected claims and remand the case for a new trial.
1. BACKGROUND
On October 30,1998, Betty Ann Blake, a profoundly disabled woman in her…
2Cases cited31 opinions
- Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1993
- Bruton v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1968
- Kotteakos v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1946
- Allen v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1896
- United States v. Ilario M.A. ZanninoCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 1990
26 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by33 opinions
- United States v. Vega-MolinaCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2005
- United States v. Gary Lee SampsonCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2007
- Gomez-Candelaria v. Rivera-RodriguezCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2003
- Crowe v. BolducCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2003
- Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode IslandCourt of Appeals for the First Circuit · 2004
28 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.