Recently reported in the
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers
Journal, the following are
questions actually asked of witnesses by attorneys during trials and, in
certain cases, the responses given by insightful witnesses.
1. "Now doctor, isn't it
true that when a person dies in his sleep,
he doesn't know about it until
the next morning?"
2. "The youngest son, the
twenty-year old, how old is he?"
3. "Were you present when
your picture was taken?"
4. "Were you alone or by
yourself?"
5. "Was it you or your
younger brother who was killed in the war?"
6. "Did he kill you?"
7. "How far apart were the
vehicles at the time of the collision?"
8. "You were there until
the time you left, is that true?"
9. "How many times have
you committed suicide?"
10. Q: "So the date of
conception (of the baby) was August 8th?"
A: "Yes."
Q: "And what were you
doing at that time?"
11. Q: "She had three
children, right?"
A: "Yes."
Q: "How many were
boys?"
A: "None."
Q: "Were there any
girls?"
12. Q: "You say the stairs
went down to the basement?"
A: "Yes."
Q: "And these stairs, did
they go up also?"
13. Q: "Mr.
Slatery, you
went on a rather elaborate honeymoon, didn't you?"
A: "I went to Europe,
Sir."
Q: "And you took your new
wife?"
14. Q: "How was your first
marriage terminated?"
A: "By death."
Q: "And by who's death was
it terminated?"
15. Q: "Can you describe
the individual?"
A: "He was about medium
height and had a beard."
Q: "Was this a
male,
or a female?"
16. Q: "Is your appearance
here this morning pursuant to a deposition
notice which I sent to your
attorney?"
A: "No, this is how I
dress when I go to work."
17. Q: "Doctor, how many
autopsies have you performed on dead people?"
A: "All my autopsies are
performed on dead people."
18. Q: "All your responses
must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?"
A: "Oral."
19. Q: "Do you recall the
time that you examined the body?"
A: "The autopsy started
around 8:30 p.m.."
Q: "And Mr. Dennington was
dead at the time?"
A: No, he was sitting on the
table wondering why I was doing an autopsy."
20. Q: "You were not shot
in the fracas?"
A: "No, I was shot midway
between the fracas and the navel."
21. Q: "Are you qualified
to give a urine sample?"
A: "I have been since
early childhood."
22. Q: "Are you the doctor
who performed the autopsy?"
A: "Yes."
Q: "Are you sure this
person is dead?"
A: "Well, his brain is in
a jar but for all I know he could be
walking around practicing
law."