Trial Book

8/15/2019 Trial Book

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i x o n v . P r o v i d e n t i a l L i f e I n s u r a n c e

• TRIAL BOOK FOR THE DEFEN E• A!IEL HO" # $EL!IN IN%



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Case Outline.............................................................................................................................................3

Pleadings..................................................................................................................................................4

Issue Checklist or Proof Table................................................................................................................5

Witness List..............................................................................................................................................6

Cross E a!ination.................................................................................................................................."#heriff $red Webb............................................................................................................................................"%r. Ed&ard #har'e.......................................................................................................................................... ()ar* L. %i on.................................................................................................................................................. (+obert Wilson ,-ohn ...................................................................................................................................../4Willia! 0urns ,#haina ................................................................................................................................. /5%r. 1'church ,#herr* ................................................................................................................................... /6

Other %ocu!ents2................................................................................................................................. /$or! 5........................................................................................................................................................... /

+E$LECTIO #2................................................................................................................................... 3

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CASE OUTLINE

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PLEADINGS

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ISSUE CHECKLIST OR PROOF TABLE

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WITNESS LIST

Plaintiff'

#heriff Webb2

$(eriff "e)) *ill descri)e t(e scene of t(e incident. He *ill li+el, s-ea+ to t(e fact t(at t(e &un (as &one of accidentl, int(e -ast i -l,in& it (as also &one off accidentl, in t(is case. He *ill testif, t(at t(e evidence at t(e scene led (i to t(econclusion t(at t(is *as an accident.

%r. #har'e2

Dr. $(ar-e *ill &ive (is o-inion on t(e cause of deat( and *ill co e to t(e conclusion t(at t(is is an accident.

)ar* %i on2

/ar, Dixon la,s out t(e clai for 01 illion. $(e *ill s-ea+ t(e t(e 2ud&e3s state of ind4 financials4 and to t(eunli+eli(ood of suicide.

Defence

+obert Wilson2

Ro)ert "ilson la,s out t(e investi&ation for t(e Defense. T(e c(ec+ ar+s on t(e -olic, *ill )e at issue. Ro)ert "ilson cans-ea+ to t(e financial state and stressed indset of t(e 5ud&e due to t(eir -rior eetin&.

Willia! 0urns2

"illia Burns is a si -le *itness s-ea+in& to t(e audit.

%r. 1'church2

Dr. 6-c(urc( *ill &ive a -rofessional o-inion on t(e facts and indicate t(at a suicide li+el, occurred.

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7' 8ou3re an ex-erienced (unter ,ourself correct97' "(en ,ou clean ,our &uns4 ,ou al*a,s c(ec+ to a+e sure t(e,3re unloaded ri&(t97' 8ou *ould never clean a loaded &un97' And in ,our ex-erience is it safe to loo+ do*n t(e )arrel of a &un97' $o ,ou *ould never loo+ do*n t(e )arrel of a &un ri&(t9

If !akes so!e e cuse about ho& in so!e cases *ou &ould look do&n &hen cleaning7' If it *as a)solutel, necessar, for ,ou to loo+ do*n t(e )arrel4 ,ou *ould ensure t(e &un is not

loaded t(ou&( ri&(t97' T(is Bro*nin& B<$$1= is t(e ver, sa e &un t(at *as recovered at t(e scene ri&(t97' And *(en t(at &un *as recovered and tested ), forensics it *as found to )e in &ood *or+in&condition ri&(t9

Line 3683" of 'age /6 if gi<es inconsistent ans&er

Thank8*ou7 no& I &ant to discuss the details of the in<estigation that *ou 'erfor!ed atthe scene that da*.

7' "(en ,ou -erfor ed ,our investi&ation ,ou didn3t find a suicide note ri&(t97' And ,ou )elieve it3s co on in suicides for t(e victi to leave a note correct9

7' "(en ,ou investi&ated t(e scene did ,ou investi&ate an, of t(e -a-ers t(at 2ud&e Dixon (ad in (isoffice9Pa* attention to this ans&er==If entions t(e as(es in t(e as(tra,

7' Did ,ou investi&ate t(ese as(es97' Did ,ou (ave t(ese as(es collected and su) itted for testin&97' 8ou found as(es of -a-er in an as(tra, at t(e scene correct97' Did ,ou collect and send t(ese as(es a*a, for testin&97' $o ,ou didn3t find t(is recentl, )urnt -a-er i -ortant97' Did ,ou investi&ate t(e infor ation on an, of t(ese ot(er -a-ers on 2ud&e Dixon3s des+97' Did ,ou su) it an, of t(ese -a-ers for testin&9

7' Did ,ou investi&ate 2ud&e Dixon3s co -uter97' Did ,ou (ave (is co -uter ta+en for testin&97' Did ,ou sei>e an, evidence )esides t(e s(ot&un9

9ntici'ated 9ns&er2 o7 if gi<es different7 refer to line 4 of Webb:s >uestioning on 'age/(

7' $o even t(ou&( ,ou )elieve it is co on in suicides for t(e victi to leave a note4 ,ou didn3tinvesti&ate t(e )urnt -a-er in t(e 2ud&e3s office97' 8ou didn3t investi&ate t(e -a-ers 2ud&e Dixon (ad on (is des+ 7' 8ou didn3t investi&ate 2ud&e Dixon3s co -uter97' $o ,ou didn3t investi&ate t(e -ossi)ilit, an, of t(ose aterials (ad a suicide note97' And *it(out investi&atin& t(e 5ud&e3s -a-ers4 t(e )urnt as(es or t(e 5ud&e3s co -uter ,oui ediatel, ruled t(e deat( to )e accidental97' $o t(e onl, evidence ,ou collected *as t(at *(ic( fit t(e t(eor, t(at t(e 2ud&e3s deat( *asaccidental97' 8ou3re close friends *it( /ar, Dixon4 2ud&e Dixon3s *ido* ri&(t97' And ,ou3re a*are t(at s(e *ill receive no insurance -a, ent fro Providential Insurance s(ould2ud&e Dixon3s deat( )e ruled a suicide9

Pa* attention7 if sa*s no7 refer to lines (8/? on 'age /( of >uestioning

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%+. E%W9+% # 9+PE

ello %r. #har'e7 thank8*ou for being here

• 7' 8ou3re onl, a -art ti e /edical Exa iner ri&(t9• 7' In fact ,our -ri ar, -osition is t(at of a fa il, doctor in -rivate -ractice9 If !ake a fuss about @'ri!ar*A•

7' But ,ou do o-erate a -rivate fa il, -ractice *(ere ,ou s-lit ,our ti e9• 7' T(e a5orit, of ,our education and trainin& is in t(e field of fa il, edicine ri&(t9 Pa* attention• 7' 8ou3ve re&ularl, ta+en /E courses4 t(at is4 continuin& edical education courses4 in

fa il, edicine ri&(t9• 7' I )elieve its ?; (ours3 *ort( of courses -er ,ear correct9• 7' Ho*ever ,ou3ve done no suc( continuin& edical education courses in forensics or cri e

scenes9 If !akes an issue here2• 7' But not(in& on&oin& ri&(t9•

7' And ,our ex-erience *it( suicides co es fro a course on forensic edical investi&ationt(at ,ou too+ at Nort(*estern 6niversit,9

• 7' T(is course *as onl, a)out a ont( lon& ri&(t9• 7' T(is course dealt *it( t(e investi&ation of deat( scenes as *ell as auto-sies and deter inin&

*(et(er t(e cause of deat( *as violent (o icide4 accidental or suicide ri&(t9• 7' $o t(e focus of t(is course *as not suicide in -articular9• 7' $o ,ou (ave no s-eciali>ation in -articular in investi&atin& suicides9• 7' But durin& ,our investi&ation ,ou ade nu erous o)servations a)out certain suicidal

tendencies and (o* 2ud&e Dixon did not fit *it( t(ose9• If needs ore clear' 7' 8ou &ave t(e o-inion t(at 2ud&e Dixon3s deat( did not fit *it( a certain

nu )er of ele ents co on *it( suicide9• 7' But ,ou3re not an ex-ert in suicide ri&(t9

BPauseB

• 7' 8ou3ve +no*n 2o(n Dixon for an, ,ears ri&(t9• 7' And ,ou3re close -ersonal friends *it( (i ri&(t9• 7' 8ou3re also close friends *it( (is *ife /ar, Dixon9• 7' 8ou3re a*are t(at /ar, Dixon4 2ud&e Dixon3s *ido* *ill receive no insurance -a,out fro

Providential s(ould 2ud&e Dixon3s deat( )e ruled a suicide9• T(an+<,ou no furt(er @uestions

)9+ L. %IDO

Checklist2

/ Check!arks2

$(e discovered t(e -olic, on Nove )er t( 4 t(e da, of t(e deat(Pa&e ( of 4



Nove )er = t( s-o+e to /r."ilson and (anded (i t(e -olic,

Believed s(e *as entitled to t(e 01 illion

Does not sa, 01 illion an,*(ere on t(e -a&e4 ,ou need to actuall, read t(rou&( it @uitecarefull, # in Fine Print

Des-ite t(at didn3t notice a c(ec+ ar+ next to suicide after findin& (er (us)and dead in t(is

Other Policies if the o''osing counsel brings it u'2

• T(e co -an, could not rel, on t(e suicide exclusion )ecause t(e -olicies *ere over 1 ,ears3old

3 istor* of #uicide2

• /ot(er3s )rot(er co itted suicide

• Didn3t +no* an,t(in& a)out it ot(er

• Found it out fro 2ud&e Dixon3s

4 $inancial #tate

• 8ou *ere una*are of 2ustice Dixon3s Financial $tate

• T(ere *as 0 41;; in t(e c(ec+in& account

• 014:;; in t(e savin&s account

• /ost savin&s *ere +e-t in a lar&e ca- utual fund

• 01:;4;;; *as in t(e account4 0 ;;4;; *as *it(dra*n in $e-te )er 8R<?.

• 0 1:4;;; on Au&ust = 8r<14 t(at *as invested in a (ud&efund t(at *ent )ust

• 8ou did not +no* a)out t(ose *it(dra*als

5 9udit

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• 8ou discovered a letter fro Burns *it( t(e attorne, &eneral3s office9

• 8ou never +ne* a)out it

Line of uestioning2

Check!arks2

/ 8ou discovered t(e insurance -olic, after t(e funeral9

8ou did not +no* a)out it )efore t(en9

3 On Nove )er = t( ,ou s-o+e to /r. "ilson and (anded (i t(e -olic,

4 8ou +ne* a)out t(e 01 illion fro readin& t(e -olic, *it(in t(at ti e9

5 /, lord4 -er ission to a--roac( t(e *itness to s(o* ex(i)it ?

6 T(is is t(e -olic, ,ou read correct9

" Do t(e nu )ers 01 illion a--ear an,*(ere on t(at -a&e ex-licitl,9

; 8ou (ad to read t(e fine -rint under t(e face a ount of t(e -olic, # t(e )enefit in event ofdeat( ), accident

( Next to t(ose -oints and -oint Csuicide of t(e insured are clearl, ar+ed c(ec+ ar+s

/? Des-ite t(e nature of t(e deat( ,ou didn3t notice t(e 9

// 8ou found ,our (us)and alone in a loc+ed roo 4 )linds s(ut4 &un in (and4 read t(rou&( t(e -olic, )ut didn3t find t(e c(ec+ ar+s next to accident and suicide sus-icious9

/ $i -l, i&nored or for&ot a)out t(e 9

istor* of #uicide

• 2ustice Dixon3s ot(er3s )rot(er co itted suicide

• Didn3t find out fro 2ustice Dixon

• 8ou found out for (is ot(er

• He never discussed it *it( ,ou

$inancial #tate2

/ It *as not until after t(e deat( ,ou discovered t(ere *as onl, 0 1;; in 2ustice Dixon3sc(ec+in& account9

And 014:;; in t(e savin&s account

3 8ou (ave a 01:;4;;; lar&e ca- utual fund for savin&s9

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4 0 ;;4;;; *as *it(dra*n $e-te )er 8R<?9

5 8ou did not +no* a)out t(is9

6 Anot(er 0 1:4;;; *as *it(dra*n Au&ust = 8r<19

" Into a (ed&e fund t(at *ent )ust

; 8ou also did not +no* a)out t(is9

( $o t(ere *as not(in& left in t(e lar&e ca- utual fund9

/? And under 0 ;;; left in c(ec+in&s and savin&s accounts9

OPENIN% $TATE/ENT

%ood ornin& , lord4 , na e is $elvin In& and I a (ere *it( , co<counsel Aviel (o* on

)e(alf of Providential Life Insurance."(at (a--ened to 2ud&e Dixon is undenia)l, tra&ic. T(e 2ud&e *as an i -ortant -illar of t(eco unit, involved *(ere (e *as involved in an, i -ortant civic functions and t(ere is no dou)t(e *ill )e &reatl, issed.

Here in t(is incident it is also undenia)le is t(at 2ud&e Dixon did not die of natural causes )ot( sides -resent (ere toda, a&ree t(at (e died of a tra&ic &uns(ot *ound to t(e (ead. Ho*ever4 in dis-ute is(o* t(at &uns(ot *ound occurred. Fro t(e evidence t(at *ill )e -resented (ere and t(rou&( t(etesti on, of *itnesses fa iliar *it( t(e scene4 t(ere is no dou)t4 on a )alance of -ro)a)ilities t(at

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2ud&e Dixon3s fatal in5ur, *as caused ), a self<inflicted &uns(ot *ound. 2ud&e Dixon *as in ades-erate financial situation. As /ar, Dixon (as told us4 t(e 2ud&e (ad ta+en out a loan for 0 ;;4;;;and (ad also drained t(e a5orit, of t(eir savin&s *(ere (e *it(dre* a total of 011:4;;;. T(e 2ud&e(ad also lost 0 1:4;;; in a failed invest ent. At t(e ti e of (is deat(4 2ud&e Dixon3s court *as also

)ein& investi&ated for issin& funds *(ere 0 ;;4;;; *as found to )e issin&. T(ese -ro)le s createda des-eration *it(in 2ud&e Dixon *(ic( led (i to ta+e (is o*n life in order to esca-e (is -ro)le sand -rovide securit, for (is *ife.

Providential Insurance *ould li+e not(in& ore t(an to -rovide securit, for /ar, Dixon and assist (erin t(is difficult ti e. Ever, insurance a&ent at t(e co -an, feels terri)le for t(e fa ilies *(en t(e,(ave to investi&ate t(ese +inds of incidents. Ho*ever4 Providential Insurance also o*es a dut, to itse -lo,ees and s(are(olders *(en -a,in& out clai s. T(e co -an, *ould cease to exist if ever,onecould ta+e advanta&e and receive -a,outs under an, circu stances. It is re&retta)le under t(ecircu stances )ut *e ust as+ t(e court to dis iss t(is suit and rule in favor of Providential Lifeinsurance.

T(e defendant *ill )e callin& t(ree *itnesses toda, *(o *ill eac( esta)lis( *(, 2ud&e Dixon3s deat(s(ould )e ruled a suicide.

First Ro)ert "ilson a &eneral ana&er at Providential. /r. "ilson *ill )e &ivin& evidence a)out (o*2ud&e Dixon -ursued t(e life insurance -olic, onl, da,s )efore t(e fatal incident in @uestion. He *illalso testif, to (o* 2ud&e Dixon *as des-erate for one,4 (e atte -ted to )orro* 0 ;;4;;; a&ainst (islife insurance -olic, and *as extre el, des-ondent *(en una)le to do so. Lastl, /r. "ilson *ill

-rovide evidence a)out 2ud&e Dixon3s de eanor 5ust -rior to t(e incident and (o* (e *as de5ected anddo*ncast.

Next *e *ill call "illia Burns t(e (ief of t(e Audit and Investi&ations Division for t(e cit,."illia Burns is an inde-endent t(ird -art, *it( no invest ent in t(e outco e to t(is case. He *ill&ive evidence a)out (o* 0 ;;4;;; in funds *ere issin& fro 2ud&e Dixon3s court. He *ill alsorecount (o* 2ud&e Dixon *as evasive *it( res-ect to t(e cit,3s audit into (is office and *as activel,avoidin& )ein& @uestioned a)out t(e discre-ancies t(at *ere -resent.

Finall, Providential *ill call Dr. 6-c(urc( an inde-endent ex-ert *(o is testif,in& to -rovide ano-inion a)out t(e scene. Dr. 6-c(urc( is anot(er inde-endent t(ird -art, *it( no invest ent in t(eoutco e of t(is case. He is a res-ected -s,c(iatrist *it( extensive educational credentials in t(e fieldof -s,c(iatr,4 (e is t(e e )er of nu erous -s,c(iatr, )oards and (e (as *ritten a detailed

-u)lication *it( res-ect to suicide. Dr. 6-c(urc( *ill -rovide an inde-endent o-inion t(at4 on t(eevidence -rovided4 2ud&e Dixon4 &iven (is circu stances *as des-ondent4 distressed and ulti atel,co itted suicide )ecause of t(ose circu stances.

/, friends (ere *ould ar&ue t(at 2ud&e Dixon3s *ound *as accidental4 (o*ever4 t(e 2ud&e *as anex-ert (unts an4 (e (ad a dee- a fa iliarit, *it( firear s. To sa, t(at so eone so ex-erienced *it(firear s could )e so careless as to clean or aintain a loaded &un defies )elief.

2ud&e Dixon *as in dee-l, distressin& financial circu stances4 on to- of (avin& )orro*ed asi&nificant a ount of one, in t(e ti e leadin& u- to t(e incident4 (e suffered a lar&e financial loss

5ust -rior to ta+in& (is o*n life.2ud&e Dixon *as understanda)l, concerned a)out (is *ife3s securit,4 (e *anted (er to )e ta+en care of for t(e foreseea)le future. T(is is an ad ira)le &oal and is so et(in& Providential full, su--orts in

-rovidin& life insurance to its custo ers. It is Providential3s )usiness to -rovide securit, and sta)ilit,

Pa&e /3 of 4



for t(e fa il, e )ers of its custo ers. Ho*ever4 t(e co -an, ust )alance t(at *it( -reventin& -eo-le fro ta+in& advanta&e of t(e situation. "(ile 2ud&e Dixon3s deat( *as tra&ic4 &iven t(at (etoo+ (is o*n life4 (is *ido* is unfortunatel, not eli&i)le to receive t(e life insurance -a,out and t(issuit s(ould )e dis issed t(an+<,ou.

No* I3ll turn it over to , co<counsel Aviel (o* *(o *ill )e callin& our first *itness4 Ro)ert"ilson.

DIRE T EGA/INATION

+O0E+T WIL#O ,-O

Checklist2• Role at Providential Life Insurance # Ho* lon& ,ou3ve +no*n 2ud&e Dixon• Insurance -rofile details # Ti e of -urc(ase• Beneficiar, # Histor, of t(e clai

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• Investi&ations conducted ), clai s de-art ent• (ec+ /ar+s on t(e -olic, next to Accidental Deat( and $uicide clauses of t(e -olic,• Nove )er ; t( eetin& *it( 2ustice Dixon CDes-eration for one,• Insurance co -anies -osition Csuicide4 sorr, for /rs. Dixon

Line of uestioning2

• "(at is ,our role at Providential Life Insurance o -an,9• "(at is ,our relations(i- *it( 2ud&e Dixon9

o Friends for : ,earso Also a cliento /et Octo)er t( to )u, life insurance

• Tell us a)out t(e insurance -olic, 2ud&e Dixon -urc(asedo Purc(ased on Octo)er 1 t( 4 active on Nove )er 1 nd

o 0 /illion Dollar Ter Polic, *it( dou)le inde nit, for accidentso Annual -re iu 0 1o In t(e first t*o ,ears4 suicide voids t(e -olic, C0 1 *ould )e re-aid

• "(at (a--ened after 2ud&e Dixon3s deat(9o As -er -rotocol4 investi&ated to see if it *as suicideo Deter ined suicideo Provided /ar, Dixon *it( t(e annual -re iu )ac+

BBBWhat &ere the ke* factors of the in<estigationBBBFo $inancial %ifficultieso Check !arks on the 'olic*

• Ho* did ,ou deter ine (e (ad financial difficulties9o On Nove )er ; t( one da, )efore t(e deat(4 2ud&e Dixon eets *it( ,ouo "ants a 0 ;;4;;; loan on t(e -olic,

o #a*s he &as des'erate for the !one*• "(at did ,ou notice a)out (i on t(at da,9

o Pale4 (a&&ard4 and dra*no He said ,ou *ere al*a,s a &ood friend over t(e ,ears. I t(an+ ,ou for itJ as if (e *as

sa,in& &ood ),eo $aid O( %od O( %odJ as (e left

• 8ou entioned c(ec+ ar+s earlier tell e a)out t(eo 8ou noticed ? c(ec+ ar+s next to suicide and accidental deat( *(ic( ust (ave )een

ade ), 2ustice Dixon after Octo)er 1 t( *(en *e discussed t(e -olic,

WILLI9) 01+ # ,# 9I 9

Willia! 0urns 8 %irect E a!ination

T(e ans*ers I -ut )elo* are @uic+ -ara-(rases fro t(e @uestionin& file t(at Aviel -osted on Face)oo+. T(ere3s no need toe ori>e or s-it out exactl, *(at I3ve -ut (ere )ut 5ust so et(in& alon& t(ose lines is *(at I3 (o-in& to &et. In fact

-lease don3t e ori>e as *e *ant t(e @uestionin& durin& trial to flo* li+e a si -le conversation4 it s(ouldn3t soundscri-ted. I3ve -ut in red *(ere t(e infor ation for t(e s-ecific @uestion can )e found in t(e @uestionin&

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7' an ,ou -lease descri)e ,our occu-ation9A' (ief of t(e Audit and Investi&ations Division at t(e Attorne, %eneral3s Office. "or+ed t(ere for five ,ears

and a also a certified -u)lic accountant.CLines <

7' "(at *as ,our relations(i- *it( 2ud&e Dixon9A' Did not +no* 2ud&e Dixon -ersonall,4 onl, encountered (i -rofessionall, *(ile conductin& an audit into

(is court3s fines and fees.

CLine ; and lines <17' "(at a)out ,our relations(i- *it( 2ud&e Dixon3s *ido*4 /ar, Dixon9A' Did not +no* /rs. Dixon at all 5ust (eard t(at s(e is suin& for 2ud&e Dixon3s life insurance -a,out

CLines <

7' Do ,ou (ave an, interest in t(e outco e of t(is case9A' No direct interest4 5ust (ere to -rovide an, relevant infor ation I (ave

CLines < 1

7' an ,ou -lease descri)e t(e investi&ation ,ou conducted of t(e Darro* ount, ircuit ourt9A' Perfor ed an audit into t(e fines and fees t(e court (ad su) itted. Records s(o*ed t(at 2ud&e Dixon3s court

*as su--osed to (ave su) itted 0:;;4;;; )ut onl, actuall, su) itted 0? ;4;;;. T(ere *as a s(ortfall of

over 0 ;;4;;;. $(ortl, )efore I )e&an , audit (o*ever4 t(at 0 ;;4;;; s(ortfall *as re edied ), a one<ti e -a, ent ade ), 2ud&e Dixon3s cler+4 $ara( La*ton.Ho*ever4 follo*ed u- and conducted anot(er audit *(ic( revealed an additional 0 ;;4;;; s(ortfall.

CLines <1

7' Did ,ou infor 2ud&e Dixon a)out t(ese issues9A' Notified (i of t(e -ro)le on $e-te )er . Received a re-l, on $e-te )er 1: *(ere (e said (e *ould

loo+ into it )ut never (eard fro (i a)out it.CLines 1 <1=

7' Did 2ud&e Dixon &ive an, follo* u- re-l,9A' No4 (e never re-lied and *as a little evasive *(en I eventuall, contacted (i a)out it. I first *rote to (i

re@uestin& a face to face eetin& )ut (e never re-lied so called (i and (e a&reed to eet at a restaurant4Ra,3s $tea+(ouse4 at 1';; on Nove )er 1. Durin& t(e call I re e )er (e s-ecificall, as+ed t(at *e noteet at t(e court(ouse.

CLines ?;<??

7' "(at (a--ened durin& t(at eetin&9A' "aited for 2ud&e Dixon for over an (our and (e never arrived. At ' : I called (is c(a )ers and found t(at

(e died of a &uns(ot *ound t(e da, )efore. Had onl, 5ust co e )ac+ into t(e cit, so (ad no idea (e (ad -assed a*a,.

CLine ?:<?=

T(an+<,ou4 I (ave no furt(er @uestions4 (o*ever , friends or t(e court a, (ave so e additional @uestionsfor ,ou.

9ntici'ated Cross E a!ination

I don3t +no* exactl, *(at t(e ot(er side is &oin& to as+ in cross exa ination. Ho*ever it *ill al ost certainl,focus on t(e audit t(at *as conducted Clines <1 . T(e,3ll li+el, as+ ,ou t(in&s li+e4 Do ,ou +no* *(ere$ara( La*ton o)tained t(e 0 ;;4;;; t(at *as used to -a, )ac+ t(e ori&inal s(ortfall9J and ,ou3ll (ave to sa,no.

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I don3t t(in+ t(e,3ll as+ t(is )ut it i&(t co e u- in so e for 4 so et(in& li+e "as t(ere an, evidence 2ud&eDixon *as -a,in& t(e s(ortfall9J and a&ain ,ou3ll (ave to sa, no. I dou)t t(e,3ll as+ so et(in& li+e t(is )ecauseit dra*s attention to t(e -ossi)ilit, 2ud&e Dixon *as a+in& t(e -a, ents )ut I don3t +no* for certain.

Overall t(e cross (ere s(ould )e -rett, strai&(tfor*ard. Burns is a ver, neutral t(ird -art, and (e doesn3t reall,offer uc( in ter s of cross exa . /ost of (is infor ation are facts and (e doesn3t (old an, )ias so it3sunli+el, ,ou3ll )e &rilled on an,t(in&. 2ust +ee- to t(e infor ation t(at *as in t(e @uestionin& t(at Avielu-loaded. If t(e, as+ so et(in& t(at3s not directl, -rovided4 li+e t(e exa -le @uestions I -ut a)ove4 5ust sa, Noor I3 not sure or I don3t +no*.

%+. 1PC 1+C ,# E++

Checklist2 "(at leads to t(e conclusion of suicide9• 2ud&e Dixon s(ot (i self *it( no one at (o e• 2ud&e Dixon left no note is t,-ical of suicides for t(ose as(a ed of t(eir life• Bein& in a &ood ood at dinner t(e ni&(t )efore is consistent *it( suicide• "(at are ot(er si&nificant ris+ factors9

To ualif* as an E 'ert2

/, Lad, /, Lord4 I see+ to @ualif, Dr. 6-c(urc( to &ive ex-ert evidence in forensic -s,c(iatr,

1 Dr. 6-c(urc(4 -lease descri)e ,our education4 *or+ ex-erience4 and trainin& t(at relate to -s,c(iatr,

a. Focus on /D4 Ps,c(iatric Residenc,4 e )ers(i-s4 and -ractice ). Hi&(li&(t forensic -s,c(iatr,c. Address ,our -u)lication on suicide

? /, Lord /, Lad,4 t(e defense see+s to @ualif, Dr. 6-c(urc( to &ive ex-ert evidence inforensic -s,c(iatr,

Line of uestioning2

• "(at factors lead ,ou to t(e conclusion of suicide9o 2ud&e Dixon (as a *ell<defined -ersonalit, as a co unit,3s leadin& citi>en M (is

re-utation is i -ortant to (io He faces serious financial difficultieso $o eone *(o a, (ave e )e>>led fro t(e courto He could not s(are (is fears *it( t(ose closest to (io He also s(ot (i self *(en no one *as at (o e eli inatin& t(e -ossi)ilit, of last< inute

rescue Ca&ain co on<-lace• "(, *as t(ere no note9

o It is co on in cases *(ere t(e -erson is as(a ed of *(at (e ade of (is life• "(at a)out 2ud&e Dixon3s &ood ood t(e ni&(t )efore9

o T(is is consistent *it( so eone read, to +ill (i self4 (e ta+es on an air of calacce-tanceJ

• Are t(ere an, ot(er factors t(at lead ,ou to t(is conclusion9o Ex-ressed feelin&s of (o-elessness4 a fa il, (istor, of suicide and access to firear s

Pa&e /" of 4



o Protective factors Cfa il,4 co unit,4 c(urc( are all una*are of financial difficultiesand -otential e )e>>le ent

LO$IN% $TATE/ENT

Tra&ed, for ever,one involved1 Res-ecta)le an4 in fact4 a friend of "illia Burns4 t(e insurance anal,st? "as Found Dead Nove )er t(

Here toda,4 P (as clai ed 01 illion for accidental deat(: 6nfortunatel,4 inconsistent *it( *(at *e (eard toda,

Entered an insurance a&ree ent onl, da,s )efore d,in&/an "(o li+el, -lanned to ta+e (is life to esca-e t(e stressors of life

= $et u- (is *ido*T(e evidence ,ou3ve (eard toda, s(ould lead ,ou to ? conclusions

a. T(e scene of t(e deat( is uc( ore consistent *it( suicide t(an an accident ). T(e s(eriff and edical exa iner3s o-inions on t(e scene *ere )iased and ne&li&entl, adec. $erious financial difficulties and t(e -otential for -u)lic (u iliation *ere -s,c(iatric

otivators

#cene of the death

/ ou-le of t(in&s t(at don3t fita. 2ustice Dixon in (untin& )oots in (is stud,9 "(,9b. $cre*driver9 No s-ace in cleanin& +itc. "(, is (e sittin& on t(e floor9 CEx(i)it 1

/ore li+el, t(an a suicide t(an an,t(in& else3 2ustice Dixon *aits till no ones at (o e4 closes t(e )linds4 uses t(e scre*driver to -ull t(e

tri&&er4 *it( a -lan to a+e it loo+ li+e an accident4 "earin& (untin& clot(es to &ive t(e a--earance of an accident5 )ut &oes to far6 $(oes in t(e office9" $cre*driver = scre*driver in one (and &un in t(e ot(er4 s(ot&un -ointed at (is face. "(at could (e -ossi)l,

)e doin& *it( t(e scre*driver9

#hotgun

No one dis-utes' ex-ert (unter and ar+s an1 And To ex-lain t(e deat(? Friends

$(ot&un -ro)le s: 2ustice Dixon Not a re-air ex-ert

IrrelevantNo ex-erienced (unter a+es 1 crucial ista+es in one cleanin& sittin&'

a. Doesn3t c(ec+ to see if t(ere are #hells in t(e s(ot&un ). Has t(e safet, off

Pa&e /; of 4



= $(eriff "e)) is ver, clear 2ustice Dixon al*a,s uses (is safet, even *(en (untin&"(, not use safet, *(ile starin& do*n t(e )arrel9

; "e all a+e ista+es4 )ut a o)viousl, ver, intelli&ent an4 ex-erienced (unter4a+in& 1 suc( crucial ista+es

1 is unli+el,? T(at3s *(at (as to (a--en

for t(is to )e an accident

: Friends sa, &un t(at (as accidentl, disc(ar&ed in t(e -astIf it (as accidentl, disc(ar&ed$(ould ean 2ustice is ore careful4 not less

= If (e is *ar, of t(e &unFacts s(ould lead ,ou to conclude

1; /uc( ore li+el,1 $(ells are in t(e &un and safet, is off to s(oot t(e &un11 Not t(at1? A careful an1 Decided to do a re-air (e *as unfa iliar *it(1: "it( a s(ot&un (e didn3t trust1 "it( t(e )arrel -ointed at (is face1 Did t(is all1= "it(out unloadin& t(e &un1 "it( t(e safet, off?; All B, accident

#heriff and )edical E a!iner:s O'inion

"H8 ARE THE8 THERE91 lear conflict of interest? Recluse (i self fro investi&ation

Onl, too+ evidence consistent *it( accident: Did not &ive t(is a serious t(ou&(t

onsider for a o ent

Loc+ed roo1 2ustice Dixon dead? $(ot&un in one (and

$cre*driver in anot(er : Burnin& note in an as(tra,

/an *as sittin& on t(e floor # alone at (o eFine4 a,)e an accident4 definitel, could (ave also )een a suicide

Facts Is'

$cre*driver not sei>ed1 As(tra, not sei>ed? Financial docu ents not investi&ated

Pa&e /( of 4



T(e deter ination *as ade on site ne&li&entl, ade: /edical exa iner si -l, deter ines cause on site

a. He3s ri&(t4 cause of deat( is s(ot&un *ound ). Doesn3t tell us if it is a suicide or notc. Not an ex-ert in -s,c(iatr,

Bot( o-inions are (eavil, )iased andBot( *itnesses are lon& ti e friends of 2ustice Dixon

= Kno*led&e of insurance6nconscious )ias clearl, not a t(orou&( investi&ation

Ps*chiatrist:s O'inion

1ndis'uted $acts/ $erious financial difficulties

Re@uest for 0 ;;4;;; da, )efore deat(3 learl, ex-ressed (is des-eration to Ro)ert "ilson4 T(ere is investi&ation into issin& one,s fro (is court5 0 ;;4;;; issin& Au&ust 8r<?4 a&ain anot(er 0 ;;4;;; issin& Au&ust 8R<16 0 1:4;;; lost invest ents" 01:;4;;; ca- fund e -tied; 0 ;;; left( Financial stress and e )arrass ent too uc(

End

/ $cene of t(e deat( consistent *it( suicide"(at could (e -ossi)l, )e doin& *it( t(e &un # scre*driver

3 $afet, off %un Loaded4 P3s *itnesses conclusions are )iased5 Ps,c(iatrist testifies to t(e stressors

T(is is an unfortunate suicide4 t(is client *as also a friend to t(e insurance anal,st Ro)ert "ilson sadfor ever,one involved )ut if *e -aid out o)vious suicide cases li+e t(is4 t(at *ould )e unfair forclients *(o trul, faced accidental deat(.

EGHIBIT$

Pa&e ? of 4



OTHER DOCUMENTS:

$O+) 5

Pa&e / of 4



Form 25

[Rule 5.34]

COURT FILE NUMBER 1401-123456

COURT COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH OF NIT

!U"ICI L CENTRE NIT CIT#

$L INTIFF M R# L. "I%ON

"EFEN" NT $RO&I"ENTI L LIFE INSUR NCECOM$ N#

"OCUMENT DEFENDANT’S EXPERT’S REPORT

""RESS FOR SER&ICE N"CONT CT INFORM TION OF$ RT# $RE$RIN' THIS"OCUMENT

3L S(u)e*( "e+e*),*( LL$2500 U* /e ( " NN (, C ( NIT T2N 1N4

Tele *e7 4038 220-4155

E%$ERT RE$ORT OF "R. U$CHURCH

9,8 Qu,l + :,( * ; : *(, *e) * ( e curriculum vitae + " . U : u : ,((,: e) , S: e)ule .

9<8 I*+ =,( * ,*) , u= ( * * > : ( e e? e (’ * * <, e) ; : *(, *e) * ( e ,((,: e) S: e)ule

B.

9:8 Su==, + ( e e? e (’ * * ; : *(, *e) * ( e ,((,: e) S: e)ule C.

" TE7 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@SI'N TURE OF E%$ERT

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ " . U : u :

#chedules 92

9,8 B C lu=< , C lleAe Ne> # C ( #R ; 2

9<8 M" Ne> # U* /e ( Me) :,l S: l #R ; 24

9:8 $ (A ,)u,(e Me) :,l I*(e * 7 B ( * U* /e ( H (,l

Pa&e of 4

Cle ’ S(,=



9)8 T , * *A7 $ : ,( : Re )e*: 7 B ( * U* /e ( H (,l

9e8 :,)e= : *(=e*( 7 Cl * :,l : ,(e $ +e + $ : ,( 7 Ne> # U* /e ( Me) :,l S: l

9+8 H (,l $ / leAe * $ : ,( e (: e (e 'e*e ,l H (,l Belle/ e> H (,l

9A8 L :e* e 7 Ne> # M, ,: u e((

9 8 Ce ( + :,( *7 Ce ( + e) * $ : ,( < =e :,* B , ) + Neu l A ,*) $ : ,( #R ; 1

9 8 $ ,:( :e7 'e*e ,l * ,( e*( ,*) u( ,( e*( : ,( > ( e: ,l *(e e ( * + e* : : ,(

9D8 Rele/,*( $u<l :,( * 7 Su : )e S A* 7 O* ( e L u( 9# -38Schedule B:

9,8 !u)Ae " ? * : ul) e, l ,/e u e) ( e (Au*’ ( AAe > ( : e>) /e > le , = *A ( e Au* ,(

e,).

9<8 !u)Ae " ? * , = )el + < ( ,*) ( e : ==u* ( ’ le,) *A : ( e* </ u l e u(,( * /e

= (,*( ( =

9:8 He +,:e (e*( ,l e? u e , , u*+, ( +ul u e

9)8 E? u e , =e *e > =, ,/e ,<e((e) e=<e le=e*( + = : u (

9e8 !u)Ae " ? * >, * )e e ,(e *ee) + = *e

9+8 He >, +,:e) > ( ( e e:(e + u<l : u= l ,( *

9A8 !u)Ae " ? * ( = el+ > e* * *e >, ,( =e

9 8 I( ( :,l * ( ( le,/e , u : )e * (e <e:,u e e , ,=e) + > ,( e , =,)e + l +e

9 8 Be *A * A ) = ) ,( ) **e : * (e*( > ( u : )e.

9D8 T e e >e e e/e ,l +,:( u: , e? e * + ele*e

18 $e = * ( ,::e ( " . U : u : , , > (*e

28 O * * e/ )e*:e * > ,( , e, 9$ : ,( 7 L el ) + Su : )e8

Schedule C:

I + *) * ( *A * ( :, e ( ,( *( * ,* ) e:( * ( e ( ,* u : )e. N *e l e ( ,)= ( ( ,( ( e l *A ( =e + e*) , e

(e <l ( u<le) ,*) ( ,( ( e = e) (. T >, , u : )e.

REFLECTIONS:

"itness Pre-aration

Pa&e 3 of 4



One of t(e reasons t(e 5ud&e &ave for a s-lit decision C0 illion for t(e Plaintiff *as t(at Ro)ert "ilson see ed li+e anevasive *itness. Indeed4 durin& direct and cross exa ination4 t(e *itness did not -ull out or e -(asi>e t(e correctinfor ation4 and durin& cross<exa ination4 t(e *itness )eca e ver, confused and *as i -eac(ed.

Ro)ert "ilson *as t(e onl, *itness *e called t(at could s-ea+ to t(e financial state and distress of 2ustice Dixon. Because(e *as una)le to e -(asi>e and accuratel, de onstrate t(e e otional distress of 2ustice Dixon4 t(e financial records fro/ar, Dixon *as not enou&( and t(e 2ud&e found no otive for 2ustice Dixon to co it suicide.

"itness -re- ust )e done *it( ore care in t(e future. T(e stor, t(at *e s(a-e ust )e dra*n fro t(e *itnesses and if

*e are una)le to dra* t(e ri&(t stor,4 t(e case is at ris+

1 Ada-tin&

"e found it difficult to ada-t to c(an&in& circu stances. "(en *itnesses do not &ive us t(e ans*ers *e ex-ect4 ad5ustin&can )e difficult. Per(a-s4 a *a, to deal *it( t(is is to co e u- *it( ore flexi)le lines of @uestionin& t(at can ad5ust todifferent situations. A&ain4 *itness -re-aration is essential.

? O-enin& # losin&

It is clear t(at eac( la*,er even *it(in t(e &rou- (as a -ersonal st,le. Instead of atte -tin& to ado-t ot(er st,les4 it is uc(ore effective to odel ,our st,le after so eone *(o (as a si ilar a--roac(.

Per(a-s ore i -ortantl,4 it is ver, i -ortant to dra* out all t(e infor ation ,ou intend to use in ,our closin& fro ,our*itnesses or it can cause ,ou difficulties if ,ou (ave a full,<-redrafted closin& as ,ou *ill not )e a)le to ada-t ,ourar&u ents if unex-ected infor ation co es u- t(at ,ou (ave to deal *it(.

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