State v. Estlick

The defendant, an insurance claims adjuster, was convicted of obtaining money by false pretenses. He allegedly obtained money by paying claims, which he knew to be false, to Evans Smith and accepting from Smith a share of the proceeds. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction. 14 Or App 288, 511 P2d 1250 (1973). We granted review.

At the trial the state called Smith as its first witness. He testified he was serving a term in the penitentiary and had pleaded guilty to a charge involving the same transaction involved in the present charge against defendant. The defendant objected to this…