People v. Fay

One of the defendants-appellants, Joseph S. Fay, called thirteen character witnesses who testified to his reputation for honesty and fair dealing. It is claimed that the District Attorney improperly cross-examined eight of such witnesses.

A defendant who calls character witnesses makes his own reputation a subject of inquiry at the trial and the People have the right to cross-examine such witnesses upon the subject of inquiry thus presented and may properly ask if the witnesses heard particular reports derogatory to defendant’s character to determine credibility and to show the witnesses’…