McCarty v. Coffin
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Contract for breach of a promise of a marriage. Answer, a general denial. At the trial in the Superior Court, before Bond, J., evidence was introduced tending to prove the alleged promise of marriage, and there was also evidence tending to disprove the promise. The defendant then offered evidence that, before the plaintiff’s acquaintance with the defendant, she had had an intimacy with several different men. This evidence was excluded; and the defendant excepted.
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Contract for breach of a promise of a marriage. Answer, a general denial. At the trial in the Superior Court, before Bond, J., evidence was introduced tending to prove the alleged promise of marriage, and there was also evidence tending to disprove the promise. The defendant then offered evidence that, before the plaintiff’s acquaintance with the defendant, she had had an intimacy with several different men. This evidence was excluded; and the defendant excepted. Evidence of the reputation of the plaintiff for unchastity was admitted. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff; and the…
1Opinion of the CourtKnowlton, J.
The ruling excepted to was made on the defendant’s offer of evidence. The offer was merely to show that the plaintiff “ had had an intimacy with several different men.” There was no offer to prove criminality; and the' word “ intimacy ” means nothing more than close and familiar acquaintance. The defendant, in his argument, concedes that this is the proper interpretation of bis offer, and we have no occasion to consider whether, in a case of this kind, upon the question of damages, or of liability, it would ever be competent to show that the plaintiff had previously been guilty of acts of…
2Cited by4 opinions
- Della Jacova v. WidettMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1969
- Colburn v. MarbleMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1907
- MacDonough v. A. S. Beck Shoe Corp.Superior Court of Delaware · 1939
- Foster v. HanchettSupreme Court of Vermont · 1896