Case Name: Hyman Bernstein, App'lt, v. Joseph Singer, Resp't
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1896-01-24
Citations: 72 N.Y. St. Rep. 41
Docket Number: 
Parties: Hyman Bernstein, App’lt, v. Joseph Singer, Resp’t.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 72
Pages: 41–42

Head Matter:
Hyman Bernstein, App’lt, v. Joseph Singer, Resp’t.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department,
Filed January 24, 1896.)
1. Slander—Character—Cross-examination.
Cross-examination oí the plaintiff as to his reputation and character before the time of the speaking of the slanderous words, is proper, as bearing upon the credibility of the plaintiff as a witness and the amount of actual or compensatory damages, if any.
2. Same—Rebuttal.
Evidence of the general good character and standing of the plaintiff before the time the slanderous words were spoken, is' improper on rebuttal, but should be given as a part of the plaintiff’s case, if desired to be given, at all.
3. Same.
The exclusion of such evidence cannot affect the result, where the jury finds that no slanderous words were spoken.
Appeal from a judgment for defendant, and from an order denying a new trial.
Joel M. Marx, for app’lt ; David Leventritt, for resp’t.

Opinion:
WILLIAMS, J.
—-The evidence as to whether the slanderous words were spoken as alleged was conflicting, and the verdict of the jury upon this question of fact should not be disturbed. We find nothing in the exceptions taken on the trial calling for a reversal of the judgment. The appellant complains that the defendant's counsel was permitted to cross-examine the plaintifi as to his reputation and character before the time of the speaking of the slanderous words. Such examination was proper, as bearing upon the credibility of the plaintifi as a witness, and the amount of actual or compensatory damages, if any. The plaintifi further complains that he was not allowed, in rebuttal, to give evidence of the general good character and standing of the plaintifi before the time the slanderous words were spoken. This evidence, under the pleadings, should have been given as a part of the plaintiff's case, if desired to be given at all. The defendant had given no evidence of the general bad character and standing of the plaintiff. In any event, this evidence could only effect the question of damages, and, the jury having found that no slanderous words were spoken, the exclusion of this evidence could not have affected the result.
The judgment should be affirmed, with costs. All concur.