hostile witness


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Related to hostile witness: adverse witness

hostile witness

A witness in a trial who testifies for the opposing party and is subject to cross-examination by the same party that called him or her as a direct witness due to antagonism demonstrated during direct examination. Witnesses called by the opposing party are presumed hostile. A witness can be declared hostile by a judge at the request of the examiner, when the witness' testimony is openly antagonistic or when clearly prejudiced to the opposing party.
References in periodicals archive ?
But it really is possible to bag an answer from a hostile witness through preparation and skill.
A snipe-hunter's guide to coaxing answers from hostile witnesses: some witnesses seem to be as elusive as the mythical snipe. But preparation and skillful questioning can enable you to bag your quarry
Most of Microsoft's rebuttal testimony - including the Redmond software giant's surprise decision to call a hostile witness, David Colburn of America Online - is predicated on the assumption that a merged Netscape/AOL changes everything.
Microsoft Trial: Government Names Rebuttal Witnesses
There's even an interview with the Alliance's Patrick Moore, the Greenpeace director turned industry mouthpiece, who appears as a somewhat hostile witness.
Forests Forever
During the hearing, the prosecution also declared father of the maid as a hostile witness.
Judge's counsel caught filming court proceeding
What fairness could we have received from an Ombudsman who viciously prevaricated and testified against me as a malicious hostile witness during my sham and an estimated P6.
Corona slams Ombudsman
Earlier in the courtroom on Friday, Seaton, who had been declared a hostile witness the day before, finished her testimony.
Police: Victim accused Gillette
During his four days on the stand, Kaelin provided inconsistent and often rambling accounts, prompting Prosecutor Marcia Clark to ask that the now 53-year-old be declared a hostile witness.
'Key witness' Kato Kaelin denies saying 'O.J. Simpson killed his ex-wife'
In the 60s, he starred in Hostile Witness which included an eight-week pre-Broadway tour but after six months in New York he was "going mad" and was quoted as saying: "You know how bad it got?
Slam Sam
But he pleaded guilty to manslaughter after his girlfriend, Jennifer McBride, was declared a hostile witness and was about to be cross-examined by the prosecution.
SAVAGES; Family's fury over car-ram kill gang
His placing was extremely accurate and I was lucky enough to witness some first-class handling of horses such as Hostile Witness, Wave Hill, Kilcash, Avonburn, Autumn Cover, Secret Spring, and a whole host more who would definitely not have been successful had they not met Peter.
Letter: Hedger's talent left me inspired
Mr Hefferon, serving 12 months for racially aggravated threatening behaviour, denied 'luring' officers to prison and threatening to be a hostile witness if he was not allowed out for Christmas.
Jury hears of contract on businessman's life
I was simply putting my points and he was treating me as a hostile witness.
Helpful witness called 'waster'
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