Court Opinion

ID: 9825023
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 11:55:47.676577+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:28.802116
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
“When the veracity of a witness is sought to be impeached, the impeaching or sustaining witness must have knowledge of the general reputation or character of the witness sought to be impeached in the community or neighborhood in which the latter resides.” Parker v. Newman, 200 Ala. 103, 75 So. 479.
A further consideration of this case, in response to appellant’s application for rehearing, leads us to the conclusion that the objections to the guestions put by the state on cross-examination of the defendant’s witness Walker should have been sustained. Close scrutiny reveals that this witness was not examined, on his direct examination, with reference to the character or reputation for veracity of the state’s witness Shaw, and that our statement in the original opinion' that “the cross-examination was proceeding along the same general lines of witness’ direct examination” is erroneous.
We are still of the opinion that the fact that a witness has known and lived in the same general vicinity with another for a considerable length of time, and never heard anything derogatory to such other, ought to be allowed to go to the jury for whatever it is worth. But where, as here, the witpess states that he knew nothing about such other’s general reputation from what people-said, he should not be allowed to testify that he would believe him under oath. The, action of the trial court in overruling appellant’s objections to the guestions along this line put by the state to the witness Walker, on his cross-examination, and allowing his answers to go in evidence, was, in our opinion, prejudicial error. It will be kept in mind that Shaw was a leading and important state’s witness, and that testimony had been offered by defendant that Shaw was unworthy of belief. To then allow a witness, as Walker, shown not to be gualified, according to the rule guoted at the beginning of this opinion, to testify that Shaw was, in witness’ opinion, worthy of belief, must have been damaging to defendant’s cause. For the error pointed out, the application for rehearing is granted, the judgment of affirmance set aside, the judgment appealed from is reversed, and the cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.