State v. Brennan

The evidence for the state tended to show that the injured girl was under the age of sixteen years; was exceedingly hard of hearing; and, while not so weak mentally as to be an actual defective, was considerably below the average standard of mentality. These facts rendered it very difficult for her to understand the questions put to her, and her answers very often were confused and misleading, but, when really made to understand the questions put to her, her testimony seemed very clear, and apparently very candid. The net result of her testimony was such as would tend to impress any…