Eyewitness Case Study

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Mrs. N was watching television when she heard noises outside of her house. Mrs. N looked out of the window. Mrs. N saw that a man, Mr. B, was arguing with another man, Mr. C, in a street near her house. There were a lot of arguments between them. Mr. B said something to Mr. C angrily. Mrs. N then saw Mr. B and Mr. C fought with each other. Mr. B then fired several shots at Mr. C. After the shooting stopped, Mr. C was found lying on the street. Mr. B then ran away from the scene. Mrs. N later then called the police to report the incidents. Mrs. N, who happened to see the incidents, is an eyewitness.

An eyewitness is a person who saw something happens, for example, a crime or accident. As a person who saw the crime, the eyewitness may remember …show more content…
Therefore, the eyewitness is usually called to the court to testify.

In the court, the eyewitness may testify about physical and emotional appearance of a person, such as his clothes or shoes, or whether the person has a tattoo or scar, or whether the person appears to be sobered or drunk. The eyewitness may also testify about other details of the crime or accident; however, the evidence provided must be based on direct personal knowledge or observation of the witnesses.

Certainly, the eyewitnesses must not testify about facts outside of their own knowledge. Eyewitness must give evidence based upon their actual experience or observation. For example, the eyewitness may testify that the accused was holding a weapon only if the witness actually saw the act itself or the witness may testify that a person was drunk if the witness has previously seen the accused getting drunk in a club or smelled the alcohol in his breath. As long as the person has sufficient personal knowledge and the opportunity to observe, the eyewitness may testify about other details of the

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