Oakes v. Star Co. , 104 N.Y.S. 244 ( 1907 )

Scott, J.:.

"While this court has somewhat relaxed the strict. rules which have heretofore so operated as to greatly restrict the right óf a party to examine his adversary as a witness before trial, it has not been our purpose to permit the disregard of the provisions of law relative to the facts necessary to be shown in order to obtain an order for such examination,-or to permit such an examination to be had when it is apparent-that no useful purpose can be served. It is still necessary to show, by the .recitation of appropriate facts and circumstances, that the testimony sought to be elicited is' material and necessary for the party making the application (Code Civ. Pl'oe. § 872, subd. 4; Gen. Rules Pr. rule 82), and it is incumbent upon the party seeking the examination to make this fact appear.

The present action is for libel and the defendant seeks to examine the plaintiff before trial for the purpose of showing by her own testimony as to specific acts that she is of unchaste character and that her reputation for chastity is bad. The pleadings are not included in the moving papers, and we have, therefore, no means of knowing what the alleged libel was, or what the defense is, except that it is stated generally to be “ general denial, privilege and partial defenses in mitigation and reduction of damage's.”

It appears, therefore, that the defendant does not attempt to justify the alleged libel, whatever it may be, and the examination of plaintiff is not required to establish any fact necessary or material to justification. It is to be used, as clearly appears both from the papers on appeal and the defendant’s brief, if at all, in mitigation or reduction of damages. What the defendant Seeks to do, therefore, is to prove by the plaintiff as a witness for defendant, in mitigation or reduction of damages, that such plaintiff has been guilty of specific acts or instances of misconduct, seeking thereby to prove that her reputation for chastity is bad. Such testimony would be ■ inadmissible upon the trial, and consequently cannot be considered necessary or material. (Cudlip v. N. Y. Evening Journal Pub. Co., 180 N. Y. 85.)

The defendant seeks to sustain the order for examination because, as is contended, the plaintiff has affirmed her chastity and good reputation,, which .the defendant by denying has put in issue. As has been said, the pleadings are not certified as having been includéd in the motion papers and are not before us. If the defendant thinks that anything in them could support the order, it was its duty to have laid them before the court. We are, therefore, left to rely upon the affidavit of defendant’s secretary and counsel for information as to the allegations of the complaint. He' says that the plaintiff avers that the 'defendant “maliciously intending to. injure this plaintiff in her good name, fame and reputation,” published a libel concerning her. This does not amount to an averment tendering an issue as to her chaste character and good reputation, and even if it did would not justify the present order. The authorities upon which defendant relies go only to the extent of saying that where, a plaintiff unnecessarily alleges her good character and the-defendant takes issue thereon, the jjloAntiff may offer testimony in support of her allegations. They do , not hold that, in such a case the defendant may prove specific instances of misconduct in support of its denial , of good" character. (Stafford v. Morning Journal Assn., 142 N. Y. 598 ; White v. Newcomb, 25 App. Div. 397.)

If "defendant desires to question the plaintiff’s character and reputation for chastity, it can do so only in two ways, first, by eróssexamination of the plaintiff herself if she should be used as a witness, and, in that case, such cross-examination may extend to any specific acts occurring before or after the publication down to the trial, as bearing upon her credibility as a witness, as well as upon hér character for injury to which damages are sought, to be recovered," and, second, by calling witnesses as to the general reputation of the plaintiff at and -prior to the time of the .publication of the ' alleged libel. But witnesses may not.be called to prove specific acts on the part of the plaintiff occurring before or after the date of the publication either to attack her credibility or her character. . (Wuensch v. Morning Journal Assn., 4 App.,Div. 110, 116.)

The defendant seeks .to examine plaintiff as its own witness, and as it is- clear, that the testimony, sought to be elicited could not be received upon the trial, unless brought out on cross-examination, it ■ is apparent that the evidence cannot be said to be material.

The; inclusión, in the order , denying the motion to vacate the order for examination, of a stay of the trial and all proceedings on the.part of plaintiff until she. .should submit to an éxaminatioi?, was" wholly unauthorized.. Do motion for such a stay was. before the court. . Under certain circumstances it" might be proper to- issue such a stay until an examination should be had, but only upon a proper-motion to that effect and for cause shown. ■

The. order appealed from will be reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements^ and the motion to vacate the order for plaintiff’s examination, granted, with ten dollars costs.

Patterson, P, J., Ingraham, Laughlin and Clarke, JJ., concurred. .

Order. reversed, with, ten dollars costs and disbursements, and motion- granted, .with, ten dollars costs.