Case Name: Dewitt against Barley and Schoonmaker
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1853-12-31
Citations: 1 Seld. Notes 177
Docket Number: 
Parties: Dewitt against Barley and Schoonmaker.
Judges: 
Reporter: Selden's Notes of Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 177–177

Head Matter:
Dewitt against Barley and Schoonmaker.
Opinions of witnesses as to. nbental capacity.

Opinion:
The opinions of witnesses, other than those who are specially qualified by scientific knowledge, to judge of such matters, are not competent evidence as to the soundness or unsoundness of mind of a testator or grantor, at the time of executing a will or deed.
The case of subscribing witnesses to a will or deed, forms an exception to this rule, their opinions being always competent.
(S. C., 13 Barb. 550; 9 N. Y. 371.)