Witcher v. Pender

Clarke, Chief Justice.

We granted a writ of certiorari in this case to decide whether the first offender record of an adverse witness in a civil case is admissible to show his conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude for impeachment purposes.

Pender filed an action to recover for personal injuries he allegedly sustained because of Witcher’s negligence. Following a jury verdict in his favor he sought a new trial on the ground that the damages awarded were inadequate. The motion was denied. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the trial court erroneously denied Pender the…