State v. . Witherspoon

In a prosecution for rape, where the question of identity is the principal issue involved, is it competent to impeach the credibility of the prosecuting witness by showing that she is mentally deficient or abnormal? The answer is, Yes. S. v. Ketchey, 70 N. C., 624; S. v. Vernon, 208 N. C., 340, 180 S. E., 590; 70 C. J., 763; 28 R. C. L., 617; Note, 82 A. S. R., 25. Compare S. v. Jenkins, 208 N. C., 740, 182 S. E., 324.

The principle is fully illustrated in the case of S. v. Rollins, 113 N. C., 722, 18 S. E., 394, where it was said: “The third.exception is well taken. John Jones, on behalf of…