New York Court of Appeals

The People of the State of New York v. . Alfred E. Richardson

December 11, 1917222 N.Y. 103

Summary

The Court held that evidence of the defendant's prior convictions and the character of his hotels was inadmissible for the purpose of impeaching a defense witness, reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial. The dissent argued that such evidence was permissible to assess credibility and that the judgment should be affirmed.