Court Opinion

ID: 9735434
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 18:15:21.436268+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:58.610522
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE STEIGMANN, specially concurring: Although I agree with the result the majority reached, I do not agree with its delicate handling of the perjury of plaintiffs’ expert witness. The majority is much too grudging in concluding that defense counsel appropriately handled this liar. In my view, defense counsel did everything exactly right, and he should receive our congratulations without reservation. The majority correctly points out that “[tjrials are an attempt to get to the truth of contested matters.” (236 Ill. App. 3d at 785.) However, exposing perjurers in the courtroom is at least as important to the process of seeking the truth as is the presentation of truthful witnesses. Indeed, it may be even more important because of the institutional benefits that result: (1) liars might be deterred from taking the oath and perjuring themselves in open court; and (2) lawyers might more carefully select and investigate the witnesses they intend to put on the stand, so as to avoid the devastating consequences of calling a witness whose perjury is demonstrated before the jury. Given the concerns of everyone involved in both civil and criminal cases about the frequency of perjury from the witness stand, I view the events in this case — and the predictable result — as nothing short of wonderful, and I am unwilling to join in any opinion that suggests any merit to the plaintiffs’ whining. Additionally, I disagree with the majority’s emphasizing that defense counsel’s cross-examination had already made inroads into the testimony of plaintiffs’ expert witness before his perjury was demonstrated. The majority’s emphasis suggests that had the expert witness’ credibility not already been damaged, our assessment regarding his perjury might be different. In my judgment, revealing the expert witness’ perjury is even more important if his testimony had been very helpful to the plaintiffs and few harmful inroads had been made by defendant. Other than as indicated, I concur fully with the majority opinion.