Branham v. Leaphart

This is an automobile negligence case. At trial, the judge refused to permit respondent (Branham) to impeach petitioner (Leaphart) with a statement contained in the police officer’s incident report. Branham appealed, and the Court of Appeals reversed. Branham v. Leaphart, 92-UP-028 (S.C. Ct. App. filed January 20, 1992). We granted certiorari, and now reverse the Court of Appeals.

Branham and Leaphart were the only witnesses to the accident, and each contended the other was at fault. At trial, Leaphart testified Branham hit her, and denied *232ever telling anyone anything different. Branham then…