Court Opinion

ID: 9695587
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 18:23:49.466543+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:14.551652
License: Public Domain

Concurring and Dissenting Opinion by
Mr. Justice Roberts :
I concur on the ground that the court below improperly permitted defendant to impeach its own witness through the introduction of a prior inconsistent statement. In light of the fact that the witness’ testimony at trial contained nothing harmful or prejudicial to defendant, there was no occasion for permitting the attempted impeachment. See Commonwealth v. Turner, 389 Pa. 239, 256-58, 133 A. 2d, 187, 195-6 (1957); Fisher v. Hart, 149 Pa. 232, 235, 24 Atl. 225 (1892); Selden v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 157 Pa. Superior Ct. 500, 507-08, 43 A. 2d 571, 576-77 (1945). I further believe that the trial court erred in its failure to' instruct' the jury with clarity' that the prior inconsistent statement of the witness, once admitted, could be considered by the. jury only for the purpose of evaluating the witness’ credibility -and not as- substantive evidence.
I disagree, however, with the advisory ruling of the' majority regarding the cross-examination of defendant’s witness Michael Heaney. While I believe the majority unnecessarily anticipates this issue, since they have expressed their views, I find it appropriate to make clear my disagreement.
*446In my view, plaintiff was entitled on cross-examination to establish that Heaney was employed on behalf of the defense. I believe it unnecessary, however, for the fact that his employment was as an insurance adjuster to be made known to the jury. By permitting plaintiff, through cross-examination, to apprise the jury of Heaney’s employment, the jury would be able to take that fact into consideration in passing upon his credibility. At the same time, since the specific nature of that employment need not be revealed, defendant would not be unduly prejudiced by having the fact of insurance called to the jury’s attention.
Mr. Justice Jones joins in this opinion.