The Art of Cross-Examination / With the Cross-Examinations of Important Witnesses in Some Celebrated Cases

by Francis L. Wellman

Mr. Sage. "I believed it to be so."

Mr. Choate. "I call your attention to a statement made in the answer." (Mr. Choate here read from Mr. Sage's answer in which he swore that he was in conversation with Mr. Norcross while Mr. Laidlaw was in the office, Mr. Sage having testified differently the day before.) "Was that true?"

Mr. Sage. "I don't know. I didn't catch it."

Mr. Choate. "I didn't want you to catch it. I wanted you to answer it. You observe, do you not, that the answer says that the plaintiff Laidlaw was in your office while you were conversing with the stranger?"

Mr. Sage. "I observe that, but I want to state the fact as I did yesterday."

Mr. Choate. "Answer my question. Did you observe it?"

Mr. Sage. "I did."

Mr. Choate. "Put down your fist and answer my question."

Mr. Sage. "I answered it."