Court Opinion

ID: 5612680
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-11 04:06:35.896831+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:37:09.301174
License: Public Domain

Smith, J.
1. Tlio excerpt from the charge of the court complained of in the 1st ground of the amendment to the motion for a new trial contains a correct statement of the law applicable to this caso and was not erroneous for any of the reasons alleged.
2. While in the excerpt from the charge of the court complained of in the 2d ground of the amendment to the motion for a new trial the use of the word “incriminating” was Inaccurate, the whole charge on the subject of impeachment of witnesses by contradictory statements fairly stated the law on this subject, and the inaccuracy in this particular does not require a reversal.
{a) The evidence justified the charge on impeachment of witnesses by contradictory statements.
3. The evidence was sufficient to authorize the verdict,' and the court did not err in overruling the motion for a new trial.

Judgment affirmed.

Jenkins, P. J., and Stephens, J., concur.

2. For the reasons that “ no foundation was laid for impeaching the witness, and it was not proven that he made the statements about which he was asked,” and that in charging as to “alleged incriminating contradictory statements” the use of the word “incriminating” was calculated to prejudice the jury against the plaintiff’s evidence or to make the impression that he had committed perjury or an offense against the law, it is alleged that the court erred in charging as follows: “A witness may be impeached by contradictory statements made by him as to material matters involved in the case. Before this can be done it is incumbent that the witness’s attention be called to the time® place, and circumstances of the alleged incriminating or contradictory, statements. If you believe that the witness has been successfully impeached in in the mode mentioned, you should disregard his testimony. The question of the credibility of the witness is a matter solely and exclusively for the jury to determine, as is the question of whether or not the witness has been impeached.” The ground in which these instructions are complained of states: “Witness was asked the question, ‘ Did you not tell Mr. J ohnson in my office, in my presence, that you paid Conway $150, and had delivered him the car on account of the business F ’ He denied making this statement. Mr. Johnson, the defendant in the case, testified that Mr. Molho told him in Major Richter’s office that he paid Conway $150j in addition to giving him the electric ear for the business.”
721
Columbus E. Alexander, for plaintiff.
George H. Richter, for defendant.