Reyes v. Missouri Pacific R.R.

589 F.2d 791 (1979)

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Reyes v. Missouri Pacific R.R.

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
589 F.2d 791 (1979)

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Facts

Reyes (plaintiff) sued the Missouri Pacific Railroad (defendant) after one of the railroad's trains struck and injured him. At trial, the judge allowed the railroad to introduce evidence that Reyes was convicted of public drunkenness four times in three and a half years. The railroad said the evidence showed Reyes was probably lying drunk on the train tracks when he was hit. The jury accepted this theory and ruled for the railroad. Reyes appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, arguing that the trial judge erred in admitting the prior convictions.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Hill, J.)

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