Source: http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/252/252mass71.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 12:46:11+00:00

Document:
COMMONWEALTH vs. JOSEPH A. SANSONE.
vehicle ran into a woman and evidence of the defendant tends to show that she walked into the left mudguard of the vehicle, it is proper to permit a daughter-in-law of the woman, who was with her at the time of the accident, to testify that the condition of her mother-in-law, as to her ability to walk, her hearing and eyesight, was good, the question not calling for an expert opinion but only for such inference as is obtained by ordinary observation, and the evidence being relevant and material.
While the credit to be given a witness to material facts is not merely collateral, and reasonable cross-examination for the purpose of proving the falsity of his testimony or bias or prejudice on his part has been held to be a matter of right, it was proper at the trial above described to exclude, in the cross-examination of a witness called by the Commonwealth, questions, "Did you discuss this case with anyone since the accident?" and "Did you speak to a newsboy in Adams Square with reference to this case?" where the only offer of proof by the defendant with regard thereto was that his purpose in asking the questions was to show that the witness had assisted the Commonwealth in looking for witnesses and in prosecuting the case, and to disclose that the witness was prejudiced, the offer being broader than the questions and in large part not responsive to them, and it not appearing therefrom that the witness said anything to anyone who did or could assist the Commonwealth, and the witness not being asked if he had assisted the Commonwealth in any way.
One who observed an accident on a highway which afterwards was made the basis of an indictment founded on G. L. c. 90, s. 24, has the right, if not the duty, to assist the Commonwealth at least to the extent of disclosing to the prosecuting attorney all facts within his knowledge material to the case, including the names of witnesses known to him; if he does no more than this he cannot fairly be charged with partisanship, Per SANDERSON, J.
It is not error for a trial judge in the course of a charge to a jury, at the trial of an indictment based upon a statute, to state the purpose of the Legislature in enacting the statute upon which the indictment is based.
INDICTMENT, found and returned on November 10, 1924, charging that the defendant on October 3, 1924, on Washington Street in Boston did "operate an automobile so that the lives and safety of the public might be endangered."
as thus construed does not amount to a prohibition of the use of motor vehicles. It is simply a regulation of their use. The safety of the public from injury and loss of life through the operation of motor vehicles well may have been thought by the Legislature to be of such supervening importance as to warrant the enactment of such a statute. It is a matter of common knowledge that many lives are lost and many persons injured through the operation of motor vehicles on public ways. Any rational statute designed to diminish this appalling impairment of human usefulness and happiness is within the power of the General Court under the grant in the Constitution to enact all manner of reasonable and wholesome laws. Illustrations put in argument of possible hardship upon those who operate motor vehicles fall far short of showing that the present statute is arbitrary or unreasonable, or that it is not adapted to the accomplishment of a permissible result." The bill of exceptions states, "This part of judge's charge was read by the court from Supreme Court Report."
The defendant was found guilty and alleged exceptions.
E. Adlow, for the defendant.
G. Alpert, Assistant District Attorney, for the Commonwealth.
proper for the consideration of the jury in connection with that of the defendant offered later, that the woman walked into the left mudguard of the automobile. The other exception to the admission of evidence not having been argued is treated as waived.
the witness being cross-examined, the daughter-in-law who accompanied the woman who was injured, the defendant, and a witness called by him. No newsboy or other witness was called either to testify or to prove that he was asked to testify. The burden is on the party excepting to show that he has been harmed by a ruling. McGonigle v. Belleisle Co. 186 Mass. 310. Commonwealth v. Phelps, 210 Mass. 109, 114. It is not enough to state the purpose of an offer of this kind in such general terms that it does not disclose to the court the facts which, if established, would tend to show interest or prejudice. Ford v. Ford, 104 Mass. 198, 206. Prejudices are usually indicated by some form of expression. Day v. Stickney, supra. The witness being cross-examined was one on whom the Commonwealth relied in part to prove the commission of the crime. Such a witness has the right, if not the duty, to assist at least to the extent of disclosing to the prosecuting attorney all facts within his knowledge material to the case, including the names of witnesses known to him. If he does no more than this he cannot fairly be charged with partisanship. The defendant has failed to show that the discretion of the trial judge was not properly exercised in excluding the questions asked.
The exception of the defendant to a part of the charge in which the judge quoted from the opinion in a decided case must be overruled. Commonwealth v. Dow, 217 Mass. 473, 483. This exception was taken to a portion of the charge which covered nearly a page of the printed record, and which in its main features stated the principles of law applicable to the facts of the case. The attention of the judge was not called to any particular sentences or phrases in the paragraphs excepted to, and which the defendant now contends are objectionable. Lockwood v. Boston Elevated Railway, 200 Mass. 537, 544. Draper v. Cotting, 231 Mass. 51, 63. It is not error for the trial court in the course of a charge to state the legislative purpose in enacting the statute upon which the indictment is based.

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