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

by Francis L. Wellman

Mr. Choate. "Do you mean that your lawyers distorted the facts from what you stated?"

Mr. Sage. "I suppose they prepared the papers in their usual form."

Mr. Choate. "In the usual form? Was there ever any usual form for a case like this?"

Mr. Sage. "Yes, sir."

Mr. Choate. "Did you ever know of such a case before?"

Mr. Sage. "No, sir."

(Mr. Choate then pursued this inquiry, in various forms, for at least one hundred questions more, and getting no satisfactory answer, he continued, "We will drop the subject and go to something else.")

Mr. Choate. "Since Mr. Laidlaw made this claim against you, you have been very hostile against him, have you not?"

Mr. Sage. "No, sir, not hostile."