State v. Catsampas

Citations

• 62 Wash. 70
• 112 P. 1116
• 1911 Wash. LEXIS 650

Syllabus

<p>Mayhem — Information—Sufficiency. An information, practically in the language of the statute, charging the accused with biting off the end of the nose of a person with intent to disfigure him, sufficiently charges maiming, as defined by Rem. & Bal. Code, § 2407.</p> <p>Witnesses — Impeachment—Criminal Daw. In a criminal prosecution, where a witness for the state had testified that he did not know what the accused had said after the fight, it is prejudicial error for the state to attempt to impeach the witness- by showing that he had made other statements to the prosecuting attorney; since it did not affect his credibility as to any affirmative statement made by him, and only had the effect to get before the jury the alleged declarations of a discredited witness.</p> <p>Criminal Daw — Trial. In a criminal prosecution, it is not commendable practice to allow a witness to give a spectacular illustration and reproduction of a fight before the jury.</p>