Rucker v. State

Citations

• 71 Miss. 680

Syllabus

<p>1. Impeaching a Witness. Hule as to leading questions.</p> <p>Where a predicate has been laid for contradiction, the impeaching witness should be asked, in general terms, what the witness sought to be discredited said, without resort to leading questions. While there are exceptions — as, where the mind of the witness cannot be directed to the subject of inquiry without specification, or where particular expressions were used — the general rule is that it is not necessary or proper, in questioning the impeaching witness, to repeat the words employed in examining the witness sought to be impeached.</p> <p>2. Homicide. Deceased a convict of a misdemeanor. Self-defense. Instructions.</p> <p>On a trial for murder, the accused cannot complain of instructions which ■ announce that, although the deceased was an illicit liquor dealer, and had escaped from confinement in the county jail for a misdemeanor, he was not an escaped felon, and was not deprived of the right of self-defense.</p>