E.H. Turf Supply Co., Inc. d/b/a Allen's Seed v. Roger Tavares
Syllabus
Rogerio Tavares (Mr. Tavares) appealed from a Superior Court judgment entered in favor of E.H. Turf Supply Company, Inc. d/b/a Allen's Seed (E.H. Turf Supply) in the amount of $1,703.71. Before this Court, Mr. Tavares alleged that the Superior Court erred in (1) allowing E.H. Turf Supply to present its case first; (2) ruling that certain evidence Mr. Tavares sought to introduce was inadmissible; and (3) failing to consider his status as a self-represented litigant during the trial. The Supreme Court concluded that the Superior Court did not err because E.H. Turf Supply, as the plaintiff in the initial District Court complaint, was entitled to present its case first at the de novo trial in Superior Court; that the evidence Mr. Tavares sought to admit was hearsay and therefore was not admissible; and that the trial justice gave Mr. Tavares, a self-represented litigant, reasonable flexibility and assistance during trial. Accordingly, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the Superior Court.
Opinion Excerpt
Supreme Court No. 2024-314-Appeal. (WD 24-282) E.H. Turf Supply Co., Inc. d/b/a Allen’s : Seed v. : Roger Tavares. : NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers