Ebert v. Kettner
Ebert v. Kettner
Opinion of the Court
Dawn Ebert, now age nine, by her guardian ad litem, and her parents appeal a judgment dismissing their civil action for damages alleging that the defendant, Philip Kettner, Sr., now deceased, sexu
The issue involves the application . of sec, 908.04(1) (d), Stats., providing:
Hearsay exceptions; declarant unavailable; definition of unavailability. (1) "Unavailability as a witness" includes situations in which the declarant:
(d) Is unable to be present or to testify at the hearing because of death or then existing physical or mental illness or infirmity;. . ..2
The only evidence on the issue of Dawn's unavailability was the testimony of Dr. Larry Goodlund, a psychiatrist, who had treated Dawn on several occasions following the alleged assault. He testified that "In general recalling of events is probably not in the patient's
A party seeking judicial process to advance his position carries the burden of proof. Loeb v. Board of Regents, 29 Wis. 2d 159, 164, 138 N.W.2d 227, 230 (1965). Credibility and weight to be given witnesses is for the fact finder and not the appellate court. Village of Big Bend v. Anderson, 103 Wis. 2d 403, 410, 308 N.W.2d 887, 891 (Ct. App. 1981). If more than one reasonable inference can be drawn from the testimony, the appellate court must choose the one chosen by the trial court. C.R. v. American Std. Ins. Co., 113 Wis. 2d 12, 15, 334 N.W.2d 121, 123 (Ct. App. 1983). Here, the trial court stated: "I cannot find that her testifying will be a traumatic and harmful event." This was a finding of fact that is supported by evidence in the record.
In addition to considering the statutory requirements, the court also addressed a constitutional issue. Contrary to the plaintiffs' argument, the trial court did not confuse the confrontation clause of the sixth amendment and art. I, sec. 7, of the Wisconsin Constitution applicable only in criminal cases, with due process. Although the court made reference to several criminal cases, it explicitly noted the absence of precedent in civil cases on the issue of unavailability. It then proceeded to a balancing test on grounds that due process rights were
By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.
Philip Kettner, Sr., died during these proceedings and is replaced by Philip Kettner, Jr., as personal representative of his father's estate.
Because the parties have not addressed the matter, we will assume that a sufficiently proven susceptibility to serious psychological harm based upon a prior trauma such as a sexual assault constitutes a "then existing" mental infirmity within the meaning of the statute.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.