The following questions were actually asked of witnesses during trials.
This was recently reported in the Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal:
- Now, doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
- The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he?
- Were you alone or by yourself?
- Was it you or your younger brother who was killed in the war?
- Did he kill you?
- How far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?
- You were there up until the time you left, is that true?
- How many times have you committed suicide?
Q: So the date of conception (of the baby) was April 8th?
- A: Yes
- Q: And what were you doing at that time?
Q: She had three children, right?
- A: Yes
- Q: How many were boys?
- A: None
- Q: Were there any girls?
Q: You say the stairs went down to the basement?
- A: Yes
- Q: And these stairs, did they go up also?
Q: Mr. Slatery, you went on a rather elaborate honeymoon, didn't you?
- A: I went to Europe, sir.
- Q: And you took your new wife?
Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
- A: By death.
- Q: And by whose death was it terminated?
Q: Can you describe the individual?
- A: He was about medium height and had a beard.
- Q: Was this a male, or a female?
Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
- A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
- A: All of my autopsies are performed on dead people.
Q: All of your reponses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
- A: Oral.
Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
- A: The autopsy started around 8:30 pm.
- Q: And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?
- A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy.
Q: You were not shot in the fracas?
- A: No, I was shot midway between the fracas and the navel.
Q: Are you qualified to give a urine specimen?
- A: I have been since early childhood.
- No further questions.