This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...seldom apparent to the mere spectator, however it may be appreciated by the lawyers engaged in the case, who may be able to recognize with what ingenuity and tact the desired facts have been elicited and the weak points suppressed or at least not clearly revealed. Is it not far easier to propound cross-questions which ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...seldom apparent to the mere spectator, however it may be appreciated by the lawyers engaged in the case, who may be able to recognize with what ingenuity and tact the desired facts have been elicited and the weak points suppressed or at least not clearly revealed. Is it not far easier to propound cross-questions which will put a man in an unattractive position before an audience than to so conduct his direct examination as to make him show himself to the greatest possible advantage? Many an idle boy has broken painted windows, but no one but an Albert Diirer could have made them! If the direct examination is properly and skilfully conducted, the impression thus made by an honest witness is more lasting than any argument of counsel. The vivid story of a single witness told in a winning way will leave a first impression upon a juror's mind that no eloquence can efface. It is no easy matter for an advocate to get his own evidence properly before a court and jury. It is an important fact for him to remember that cases are often won or lost by the straightforward statements of the parties themselves, and the natural homely way they sometimes have of putting things. A builderwas suing for extra work done on a dwelling. The defence was that everything had been paid for as originally contracted, but that much of the work had not been done according to agreement. An expert was called as defendant's witness. He testified that the house was six inches lower than called for by the specification; that the windows were on weights instead of opening out like French windows on hinges, and that therewere other material defects in workmanship. Item by item had to be carefully scrutinized. There was a chimney too short, a cornice defective, etc. The jurors were much worried a...
Read Less
