Burton v. Natural Gas & Petroleum Corp.

Rodney, J.: We sustain the objection to the prior statement of the witness. We are of the opinion that in this state the same foundation for the introduction of prior statements showing hostility, or ill feeling, on the part of a witness must be laid as are uniformly laid as a basis for the introduction of prior contradictory statements. State v. Deputy, 3 Penn. 19, 50 A. 176; Jones’ Blue Book on Ev. (1914), vol. 5, § 850; 2 Wigmore on Ev., §§ 953, 964, 1025; Eagan v. Lentz, 156 Cal. 681, 105 P. 951, 20 Ann. Cas. 221, and note, and cases there cited. See note to State v. Smith, 16 A. L. R. 984. Note—See State v. Grant, 3 W. W. Harr. (33 Del.) 195, 133 A. 790; State v. Casper, 3 W. W. Harr. (33 Del.) 432, 138 A. 633; Bove v. State, 3 W. W. Harr. (33 Del.) 229, 134 A. 630.