9 Kan. 600 | Kan. | 1872
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The exceptions in this case raise but one question, and that is,- Can a defendant be a witness in his own behalf, in an action brought by an administratrix for indebtedness due the deceased in his lifetime ? This question is presented very broadly by the record. It is not Avhether such a person may testify as to a particular class of facts, but Avhether lie may in such a case be a Avitness at all in his own behalf. The fact of a person being a party interested does not prevent him from being a Avitness in his OAvn behalf. But § 322 of the code provides in Avhat causes a party shall not testify in his OAvn behalf, and among other causes rendering-his testimony incompetent is this, that he shall not be alloAved to testify in his OAvn behalf in respect to any transaction or communication had personally by such party with a deceased person. Subject to this restriction a party in such a case as this is alloAved to testify in his OAvn behalf. If the case presents any issues on which the party offered may testify, without necessarily testifying in respect to any transaction or communication had personally with the deceased, then the court erred in refusing to permit him to testify. The issues present many points upon Avhich the party might have testified without any