Case: 1:11-cv-00103-GHD-DAS Doc #: 362 Filed: 01/27/14 1 of 5 PageID #: 7056
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI EASTERN DIVISION KMART CORPORATION PLAINTIFF VS.
CIVIL ACTION NO.: 1:11-CV-103-GHD-JAD
THE KROGER CO., E&A SOUTHEAST LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FULTON IMPROVEMENTS, LLC; KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY; CITY OF CORINTH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOHN DOE; AND ABC CORPORATION
DEFENDANTS
RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE EVIDENCE COMES NOW, Defendant The Kroger Co. (“Kroger”), by and through its counsel of record, and respectfully submits this its Response in Opposition to Motion In Limine to Exclude Evidence and in support thereof states the following, to wit: 1.
Kmart Corporation (“Kmart”) argues in its Motion in Limine to Exclude to Exclude
Evidence (“Kmart’s Motion”), Doc. No. 352, that what it describes as an “unsigned letter dated September 25, 2010” (the “September 25 Letter”) is due to be excluded “as being not properly authenticated and as constituting inadmissible hearsay.” [Doc. No. 352 at 1] Kmart bases this argument on testimony it obtained from the deposition of the corporate representative of Fulton Improvements, LLC (“Fulton”). [See Doc. No. 353 at 2-4] 2.
The September 25 Letter indicates that it is from Melissa Green, whom the letter
identifies as a regional human resources director for Kmart Retail, to an unknown employee of Kmart’s store number 4883 located in Corinth, Mississippi. [Exhibit A, exhibit 24 thereto] The September 25 Letter advises that no decision has been made on whether or not this particular store will reopen to the public and that, as an apparent consequence, this employee’s employment with
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Kmart will terminate in September 2010, adding that should the store be reopened the employee would be able to apply for a position at the store. [Exhibit A, exhibit 24 thereto]. 3.
As to its arguments regarding proper authentication, Kmart appears to be relying
solely on the provisions of FED.R.EVID. 901(b)(1), which concern the authentication by “[t]estimony that an item is what it is claimed to be.” [See Doc. No. 353 at 2-4] However, as demonstrated herein, the September 25 Letter may be properly authenticated pursuant to FED.R.EVID. 901(b)(4), which concern authentication by the appearance, content, and substance of a document taken together along with the relevant circumstances. Moreover, Kmart’s contention that the September 25 Letter constitutes hearsay is simply not credible, as the document is clearly non-hearsay as an admission pursuant to FED.R.EVID. 801(d)(2). 4.
In support of its Motion, Kroger relies upon the pleadings filed in this action, its the
supporting memorandum, and the following exhibits: Exhibit A:
Excerpts of the Deposition of Fulton Improvements, LLC.
Exhibit B:
Excerpts of the Deposition of Kmart Corporation.
Exhibit C:
Google Search Result.
Exhibit D:
LinkedIn Page for Melissa Green.
WHEREFORE, premises considered, Kroger respectfully requests this honorable Court to deny Kmart’s Motion. Said Defendant further prays for general relief.
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This, the 27th day of January 2014. Respectfully submitted, THE KROGER CO.
By: s/David A. Norris Of Counsel
Edley H. Jones III (MSB No. 3201) David A. Norris (MSB No. 100616) McGLINCHEY STAFFORD, PLLC City Center South, Suite 1100 200 South Lamar Street (Zip - 39201) Post Office Drawer 22949 Jackson, Mississippi 39225-2949 Telephone: (769) 524-2314 Facsimile: (769) 524-2333 dnorris@mcglinchey.com ejones@mcglinchey.com Attorneys for The Kroger Co.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, the undersigned David A. Norris, McGlinchey Stafford PLLC, hereby certify that on this day, I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of the Court using the ECF system, which sent notification of such filing to the following: Ryan O. Lumainis James M. Garner John T. Balhoff, II SHER GARNER CAHILL RICHTER KLEIN & HILBERT, LLC 909 Poydras Street, 28th Floor New Orleans, LA 70112 Email: rluminais@shergarner.com 3
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Mary Clift Abdalla FORMAN, PERRY, WATKINS, KRUTZ & TARDY, PLLC 200 S. Lamar Street, Suite 100 Jackson, MS 39201 Email: abdallamc@fpwk.com Walter G. Watkins , Jr. FORMAN, PERRY, WATKINS, KRUTZ & TARDY, PLLC P.O. Box 22608 Jackson, MS 39225-2608 Email: wwatkins@fpwk.com Walter Garner Watkins , III FORMAN, PERRY, WATKINS, KRUTZ & TARDY, PLLC P.O. Box 22608 Jackson, MS 39225-2608 Email: trey@fpwk.com Gerald Haggart Jacks JACKS LUCIANO, P.A. P. O. Box 1209 Cleveland, MS 38732-1209 Email: gjacks@jlpalaw.com Jamie Ferguson Jacks JACKS LUCIANO, P.A. P. O. Box 1209 Cleveland, MS 38732-1209 Email: jjacks@jlpalaw.com Charles E. Ross WISE, CARTER, CHILD & CARAWAY P. O. Box 651 Jackson, MS 39205-0651 Email: cer@wisecarter.com Terry Dwayne Little DANIEL, COKER, HORTON & BELL - Oxford P.O. Box 1396 Oxford, MS 38655 Email: tlittle@danielcoker.com
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Wilton V. Byars , III DANIEL, COKER, HORTON & BELL P.O. Box 1396 Oxford, MS 38655 Email: wbyars@danielcoker.com John Evans Gough , Jr. U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE - Oxford 900 Jefferson Avenue Oxford, MS 38655-3608 Email: john.gough@usdoj.gov Linda F. Cooper WISE CARTER CHILD & CARAWAY, P.A. P.O. Box 651 Jackson, MS 39205-0651 and I hereby certify that I have mailed by United States Postal Service the document to the following non-ECF participants: None THIS, the 21st day of January 2014. s/ David A. Norris David A. Norris
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