Opinion
April 24, 1908.
George C. Lay [ Frederick W. Garvin with him on the brief], for the appellant.
James W. Osborne [ Charles J. Nehrbas with him on the brief], for the respondent.
We are not asked to review the evidence, but to reverse on an exception to the admission of evidence. A former employe of the plaintiff was a witness for the defendant, and the plaintiff was permitted to testify in rebuttal that he upbraided him for misappropriation of funds and brutally beating a boy in discharging him therefor. It is always relevant and material for a party to prove any fact from which it may be found that a witness of the other side is hostile to or biased against him ( People v. Brooks, 131 N.Y. 321; Garnsey v. Rhodes, 138 id. 461; Lamb v. Lamb, 146 id. 317; Brink v. Stratton, 176 id. 150). It is not a collateral but a material and relevant matter, and the denial of the witness on cross-examination is therefore not conclusive.
The judgment should be affirmed.
WOODWARD, JENKS, HOOKER and MILLER, JJ., concurred.
Judgment and order affirmed, with costs.