History
  • No items yet
midpage
Josephine T. Comer, Administratrix of the Estate of Harold v. Comer v. Pennsylvania Railroad Company
323 F.2d 863
2d Cir.
1963
Check Treatment
PER CURIAM.

We affirm in open court a judgment entered on a jury verdict for defendant in this F. E. L. A. death action against the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is claimed that a verdict should have been directed in plaintiff’s favor and that it was prejudicial error to receive in evidence a record card of the railroad containing matter relating to the conduct of a “key” witness for plaintiff and to his discharge or resignation from the employ of the railroad. There is ample evidence to support the verdict. Indeed, plaintiff barely made out a prima facie case. It would have been plain error had plaintiff’s motion for a directed verdict been granted. As the proof objected to tended to establish the hostility of the witness to the railroad it was independ *864 ently admissible for consideration by the jury on the issue of the credibility of the witness. Such evidence, unlike that of proof of prior inconsistent statements, requires no foundation by questions on the cross-examination of the witness. United States v. Beekman, 2 Cir., 1946, 155 F.2d 580; People v. McDowell, 1961, 9 N.Y.2d 12, 210 N.Y.S.2d 514, 172 N.E.2d 279. The trial judge instructed the jury that this proof was to be considered solely on the issue of the credibility of the witness.

Affirmed.

Case Details

Case Name: Josephine T. Comer, Administratrix of the Estate of Harold v. Comer v. Pennsylvania Railroad Company
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Date Published: Oct 22, 1963
Citation: 323 F.2d 863
Docket Number: 28096_1
Court Abbreviation: 2d Cir.
AI-generated responses must be verified and are not legal advice.