Case Name: Pomroy against The Columbian Insurance Company
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1804-11
Citations: 2 Cai. 260
Docket Number: 
Parties: Pomroy against The Columbian Insurance Company.
Judges: 
Reporter: Caines' Reports
Volume: 2
Pages: 260–260

Head Matter:
Pomroy against The Columbian Insurance Company.
On an application for a new trial on account of newly discovered evidence, if the information he stated to have been given by A. B., a person of character and reputation, affidavits to show he is not worthy of credit may be read.
Bogert applied, in this case, for a new trial, on an affidavit of newly discovered evidence from A. B., a man of good character and reputation.
Starr offered affidavits to show the person from whom the information was derived was a man not worthy of belief, and, in the present instance, actuated by motives of revenge.
Bogert objected to their being received, because it wag trying a man’s character, in a collateral way, by surprise, when he could never expect to be called on to support it, and must, therefore, be unprepared.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
This person comes forward in the light of a witness: every man who does so puts his general character in *issue. You have invited inquiry by stating him to be a man of character and reputation. Every witness at a trial is equally unprepared; we do not, therefore, see why we may not question his credibility as much as if he was before a jury. Read the affidavits.