How could an innocent question like "Do you know me?" end up like this?
> >
> > Why Lawyers should never ask a witness a question if they aren't
> > prepared for the answer:
> >
> >
> > In a trial, a Southern small town prosecuting attorney called his first
> > witness to the stand; a grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her
> > and asked, "Mrs.. Jones, do you know me?"
> >
> > She responded, "Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you
> > since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big
> > disappointment to me.
> >
> > You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk
> > about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you
> > haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more
> > than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
> >
> > The Lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across
> > the room and asked "Mrs. Jones do you know the defense attorney?"
> >
> > She again replied, "Why yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a
> >
> > youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He
> > can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is
> > one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his
> > wife with three different women, one of them was your wife. Yes, I know
> > him."
> >
> > The defense attorney almost died.
> >
> > The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very
> > quiet voice, said; "If either of you bastards asks her if she knows me,
> > I'll throw your sorry asses in jail for contempt."