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13 N.Y.S. 25

People v. Sweeney

New York Supreme Court

Decided February 15, 1891

New York Supreme Court · decided 1891-02-15

■ In May, 1890, the defendant, John H. Sweeney, and David McCord, alias James Bradley, were jointly indicted for the crime of grand larceny in the first degree.

Decided 1891-02-15

Merwin, J.

¶2Charles Hordrum, a police officer, from Chicago, was called by the people as a, witness in regard to certain matters in connection with the arrest of the defendant at Chicago. He was examined and cross-examined, and then, upon his redirect examination, he was asked the question: “Are you *27one of the officers that was in the Haymarket riot in Chicago, blown up by the bomb-shells?” This was objected to by the defendant’s counsel as incompetent and immaterial, and the objection was overruled, and exception taken. The answer was: “I was one of the men who were in that riot.” This ruling is claimed to be erroneous. It will be observed that the answer is not fully responsive. The witness had been cross-examined in regard to his previous official history, and a reasonable latitude upon the redirect, by way of explanation, was allowable. It may be that, strictly speaking, the evidence was immaterial, but, in the form the answer was given, no possible injury would be occasioned to the defendant. We have examined the other exceptions presented on the part of the defendant, and find nothing that calls for a reversal. It. is not apparent that any substantial right of the defendant is affected. Code Grim. Proc. § 542. It follows that the judgment and order should be affirmed. All concur.

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