Court Opinion

ID: 9751516
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-28 16:33:07.112637+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:26:49.924023
License: Public Domain

Heher, J.
(dissenting). While the sanction of an oath is also deemed requisite, the essence of the hearsay rule is that assertions which have not been “in some way subjected to the test of cross-examination” are not deemed testimonially trustworthy. Wignore on Evidence (3rd ed.), §§ 1362, 1364, 1367. In Chapman v. Chapman, 2 Conn. 347 (1817), Swift, C. J., said: “It is a general principle in the law of evidence, that hearsay from a person not a party to the suit, is not admissible; because such person was not under oath, and the opposite party had no opportunity to cross-examine.” And in Warren v. Nichols, 6 Metc. 261 (1843), Shaw, C. J., had this to say: “The general rule is, that one person cannot be heard to testify as to what another person has declared, in relation to a fact within his knowledge, and bearing upon the issue. It is the familiar rule which excludes hearsay. The reasons are obvious, and they are two. First, because the averment of fact does not come to the' jury sanctioned by the oath of the .party on whose knowledge it is supposed to rest; and, secondly, because the party, upon whose interests it is brought to bear, has no opportunity to cross-examine him on whose supposed knowledge and veracity the truth of the fact depends.” But Professor Wigmore considered the coupling of the oath with cross-examination in the definition of the rule as “merely accidental.” He regarded the oath as “merely an incidental feature customarily accompanying cross-examination,” and cross-examination as the “essential and real test required by the rule.” An oath without cross-examination is not enough. Ibid., § 1362. Only by cross-examination can it be determined whether the witness *260speaks from personal knowledge and his assertion entitled to be credited or received as testimony. Cross-examination is held to be “a fundamental test of truth.” Ibid., § 1367.
The challenged testimony came from Heasley, Greyhound’s driver. He quoted his co-defendant Settle as declaring, some time after the mishap, that the collision was not attributable to “the fault of either,” either Settle or Heasley. The extrajudicial utterance thus laid to Settle was not a part of the res gestes, but was essentially self-serving and hearsay in so far as it tended to exonerate the declarant himself of blame. The exculpation of Heasley and his principal is in a different category, even though it was a mere conclusion of the declarant, The interests of Settle and his co-defendants Greyhound and Heasley at the trial were adverse; and it would seem that this declaration was admissible on principle as contradictory of the declarant’s testimony implicatory of Heasley and his principal. A statement elsewhere made by the present party and now offered against him as inconsistent with and contradictory of his present claim made in the pleadings or evidence constitutes an admission receivable in evidence. A prior assertion of the party inconsistent with his present claim is admissible under the principle of self-contradiction, as a discrediting element. Such a discrepancy is receivable to discredit a witness; and so also the party-opponent is discredited by showing that on another occasion he had made a statement inconsistent with his testimonial utterance. The admission was receivable at the instance of Greyhound and Heasley, not as proof of the subject matter, but rather for the probative process of contrast with Settle’s testimony at the trial unfavorable to them. A defendant as a witness is impeachable like any other witness, by a co-party against whom he testifies. Wigmore on Evidence (3rd ed.), §§ 916, 1048, 1076; Broderick v. Higginson, 169 Mass. 482, 48 N. E. 269 (1897). There was no motion here to limit the admission accordingly.
But even though the declaration, standing alone, be deemed in its entirety within the exclusionary hearsay rule, its admission into evidence was in no sense prejudicial. Settle was *261called as a witness by the plaintiff, and sworn. He testified in full as to the circumstances attending the collision. He was interrogated by counsel for the plaintiff and by his own counsel; and his testimony was subjected to cross-examination by Fischer’s counsel. Thus, the hearsay rule was satisfied. What Settle said to Heasley was merely his conclusion from the circumstances which he related at length on the witness stand and subjected to the test of cross-examination. The declaration did not constitute an assertion untested by the criteria laid down in the law for determining testimonial trustworthiness. It is inconceivable that the jury were guided-by Settle’s bare conclusion, voiced shortly after the collision, rather than by his narration of the circumstances on the witness stand under oath, tested by cross-examination. Indeed, it is clear that the assertion was not credited, for the jury found Heasley and Greyhound guilty of negligence. The post-collision appraisement had no influence upon the verdict. It is utterly unreasonable to suppose that the jury did not confine themselves to Settle’s testimony under the sanction of his oath and the essential test of cross-examination.
Rule 1:2-20 (b) provides that a new trial shall not be granted for the improper admission or exclusion of evidence, “unless after examination of the whole case, it appears, that the error injuriously affected the substantial rights of a party.” There is no showing of substantial injury here. Clearly, the admission of Settle’s assertion cannot have influenced the result.
I would reverse the judgment of the Appellate Division and affirm, the original judgment of the Superior Court for the plaintiffs.
For modification — Chief Justice Vanderbilt, and Justices Case, Olieeant, Waohenebld, Burling and Aokerson — 6.
For reversal — Justice Heiter — 1.