Trial Transcript: Impeaching Lying Witness

Q: I understand that you are bipolar.

A: I am not bipolar.

Q: You’re not?

A: No.

Q: And never have been?

A: No.

Q: Ms. Jones. You realize that when the police interviewed you, they were wearing body worn cameras?

A: Actually I didn’t know that. That’s not something I was aware of.

Q: Yes. They wear them on their chests. There is a blinking light when activated.

A: Okay.

Q: So your conversations with them that night were recorded. You didn’t know that?

A: Actually no.

Q: And these body worn camera files were turned over to the defense before trial. So I was able to watch them. I was able to see and hear what you told the officers that night. You didn’t know that?

A: No.

Q: Let me ask you again: Are you bipolar?

PROSECUTOR:Objection.

THE COURT: Overruled, overruled. You can answer the question.

A: I have PTSD but I am not bipolar.

Q: I see. You have PTSD but you are not bipolar. You didn’t tell police that night when they first got there that you’re bipolar?

A: Maybe. I – they changed my diagnosis. The psychiatrist that I went to from 2012 to 2016 or 17 said that my diagnosis was post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and depression. The psychiatrist that I’m currently going to said my diagnosis is that in addition to bipolar.

Q: I see. PTSD and bipolar. So when I asked you earlier whether you were bipolar and then I asked you again, just a moment ago, and you said, unequivocally, no, that was inaccurate?

A: True, yes.

Q: True yes that was inaccurate?

A: Yes.

Q: Both times?

A: Yes.

Q: Both times it was a lie?

A: I don’t know —

Q: — Did you misunderstand my question?

A: No, I understood what you were trying to say.

Q: Trying to say? I asked you if you were bipolar and you said no. Do you understand the word bipolar?

A: Really I —

PROSECUTOR:– Objection.