Citation[]
In re Matthews, 47 Pa. D.&.C.2d 529 (1969) (full-text).
Factual Background[]
The deceased's estate was worth roughly $9,500. Since he had outstanding debts of over $50,000, the creditors would receive only a pro rata share.
Trial Court Proceedings[]
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company had a claim of $11,000 and introduced a computer printout of the deceased's account in order to prove their claim. The other creditors objected to this printout on the basis that the record was not an original one, nor was it a daily itemization of transactions. Fireman's Fund argued that the evidence came within the Uniform Business Records as Evidence Act,[1] and should be admitted.
The court held that the printout was admissible, since the record was made in the usual course of business. The court found that the admissibility of computer-generated material is simply a logical extension of the old shop book exception to hearsay.[2] The court further reasoned that "the final form of the record is not material so long as it is the end product of a system which is designed to produce a record which is accurate and reliable.”[3]