SARGENT v. WILSON

Evidence of the general reputation of a witness is not admissible to impeach his credit, unless it be confined to reputation for truth.

ALLEN, J.

Testimony introduced to impeach the credit of a witness, to be competent must be founded upon the witness's reputation for truth. General reputation affecting his character in other ways than for truth is not sufficient, and a belief in the want of veracity of the witness, founded on personal dealings with him, is not a belief derived from reputation, and is not admissible evidence to impeach his credit. The testimony admitted to impeach the witness was not competent for that purpose. State v. Howard, 9 N.H. 485; Chase v. Blodgett, 10 N.H. 22; Hoitt v. Moulton, 21 N.H. 586, 591, 592; Kelley v. Proctor, 41 N.H. 139.

Award set aside.

FOSTER, J., did not sit: the others concurred.