Court Opinion

ID: 4933203
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 01:10:53.22393+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:34.024816
License: Public Domain

Appleton, C. J.
The question presented by the exceptions is whether inquiries as to the character of a witness as affecting his testimonial trustworthiness are limited to his reputation for truth and veracity or whether they may be extended to his general reputation. In judicial proceedings , the character of a witness for truth and veracity are primarily important. No particular crime or immorality can be proved against a witness. If it could be done, the issues might be as numerous as the witnesses ; and the attention of the jury would be diverted from the consideration of the question submitted to their determination. Accordingly it has been held in this state that the general reputation of a witness is not a proper subject of inquiry for the purpose of impeaching his veracity. Phillips v. Kingfield, 19 Maine, 375, 378. State v. Bruce, 24 Maine, 71. So in Massachusetts, the question what is the reputation of a witness for integrity cannot be put for *429the purpose of discrediting him, but only the question what is his general reputation for truth. Quinsigamond Bank v. Hobbs, 11 Gray, 250.
Nor was the evidence receivable to affect the character of the complainant upon whom the rape was charged to have been committed. Because a woman may have a bad reputation, it is no reason why an offense should be committed upon her person or why an offender committing it should escape with impunity. Such is the rule here. It was held not competent on an indictment for murder to prove that the deceased was well known to be a drunken, quarrelsome, savage and dangerous man. State v. Field, 14 Maine, 244. Com. v. Hilliard, 2 Gray, 294. Com. v. Mead, 12 Gray, 167, 168. The court, gave the defendant permission to introduce evidence that the complainant’s character for chastity was bad, but none was offered. The defendant has no just ground of complaint. State v. Forshner, 43 N. H. 89. State v. Knapp, 45 N. H. 148. Exceptions overruled.
Dickerson, Danforth, Yirgin, Peters and Libbey, JJ., concurred.