In a trial in the heart of the South, a prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly woman he had known since childhood, to the stand.
He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Whitaker, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Coolidge. I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat, 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 lawyer. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned!
. . . Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Whitaker, do you know the defense attorney?"
She again replied, "Of course, I do. I've known Mr. Johnson 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. Yes, I know him."
The defense attorney turned red with embarrassment.
The judge upon hearing the questions and answers thusfar asked both counselors to approach the bench. . .
In a very quiet voice he said, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, I'll throw you in jail for contempt!"