Court Opinion

ID: 6413616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:54:30.810811+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:27.615943
License: Public Domain

Bigelow, C. J.
Interrogatories put to a witness by a party are in the nature of declarations or admissions, and competent evidence against him, and a proper subject of comment by counsel at the trial of a case. We know of no reason or principle which entitles him to be regarded as privileged or exempted from the ordinary rules of evidence applicable to the acts and conduct of a party concerning a matter which is in issue before a jury. It not unfrequently happens that a question may be so framed as to involve a strong implication of the existence of certain facts, or a negative pregnant indicating a denial of them ; in either of which cases it might be important and material that the adverse party should have the benefit of such disclosure or denial. Nor is it uncommon in the trial of cases that a party says or does something in the presence of the jury which may properly influence their minds in relation to the case. If a witness should be examined on the stand, the mode in which questions were framed and put would certainly be open to observation. The same rule is applicable where the interrogatories are in writing. Exceptions overruled