Court Opinion

ID: 7938460
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-08 23:12:09.777532+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:33:37.717156
License: Public Domain

Hooker, J.
The defendant was convicted of the offense of adultery with one Edith Doe. The record contains all of the evidence taken upon the trial, and shows that no testimony was offered in behalf of the defendant.
To prove the marriage of the defendant, the following evidence was introduced:
1. The testimony of the clergyman and others participating in the marriage ceremony in Ontario, who fully identified the parties.
2. Admissions of the defendant that he cohabited for four weeks with his wife, the complainant.
3. His letter to complainant, in which he addressed her as wife.
This testimony was all admissible. In addition, complainant testified to the marriage and cohabitation, and the marriage certificate was offered in evidence. The testimony of complainant was inadmissible. See People v. Isham, 109 Mich. 72. It was not objected to, however, and no error is assigned upon its introduction. The marriage certificate, which was received, was made by the clergyman, who testified to the facts that it'stated, viz., that he performed a marriage ceremony between these parties, who were identified. In the absence of proof of the law of Ontario, this testimony was not sufficient to show a marriage ceremony in accordance with the law of that place, but the testimony of the witnesses was admissible to prove the fact of a marriage ceremony between the parties, which, if followed by cohabitation as husband and wife, would establish that relation. People v. McQuaid, 85 Mich. 127; Hemmings v. Smith, 4 Doug. 33; People v. Colder, 30 Mich. 85; Hutchins v. Kimmell, 31 Mich. 126; 3 Rice, Ev. 800-805; People v. *252Lambert, 5 Mich. 367 (72 Am. Dec. 49). The admission of the foreign certificate of marriage was erroneous, being hearsay. People v. Lambert, 5 Mich. 364 (72 Am. Dec. 49). 2 How. Stat. § 6222, authorizes the introduction of domestic certificates of marriage, which are held admissible in criminal cases. See People v. Isham, supra. But foreign certificates stand upon a different footing. They have not the force of a church registry, which is admissible upon questions of legitimacy, date of birth, marriage, etc. See People v. Lambert, 5 Mich. 364 (72 Am. Dec. 49). There is much conflict of authority upon the subject of proof of marriage in criminal cases. For a general discussion of the subject, see 3 Rice, Ev. pp. 800-811; Bish. Stat. Crimes, § 610; Taylor v. State, 2 Hawley, Am. Cr. Rep. 17, and note.
To prove the alleged adulterous intercourse, testimony was offered showing the relations between the defendant and Edith Doe; and one Mrs. Garrison was permitted to testify that .Edith Doe told her, in the absence of defendant, that they had sexual intercourse. This Mrs. Garrison was a witness called by the prosecution, and this testimony was obtained on her redirect examination. Counsel seek to justify it on the ground that it was a part of a conversation drawn out on cross-examination. On direct, she had testified that she had met them together often at Edith’s place and elsewhere. On cross-examination, counsel for the defendant sought to show that Edith claimed to be his wife. She said she had no personal knowledge of their having sexual intercourse. On redirect, the question was asked directly, “ Did she say anything about their having had sexual intercourse ? ” which question was answered in the affirmative. This question and answer, if admissible at all, was because the statement occurred during a conversation about the provisions for housekeeping, which Edith said she was making in anticipation of defendant’s arrival. If it had any natural connection with the subject, and was admissible at all, it was because of the statements of Edith, elicited *253on cross-examination of the witness, which, had they been objected to, should have been excluded as hearsay. It was not competent proof of the existence of the marriage relation, and counsel should not have sought to elicit it. We think the statement was one prejudicial to the defendant, and possibly the turning point of the case.
The conviction should be set aside, and a new trial ordered. It is therefore so ordered.
The other Justices concurred.