Category: Evidence

Were You Lying Then, Or Are You Lying Now?

Witness For The Prosecution was a 1957 film about the testimony of a German-born wife whose husband was on trial for murdering a rich woman. Based upon an Agatha Christie novel, the film gave a quote which has been parroted by attorneys ever since.

Sir Wilfrid: And when you said that he had accidentally cut his wrist, again, you lied? 

Helm: Yes!

Sir Wilfrid: And now today you’ve told us a new story entirely! The question is, Frau Helm, were you lying then, [or] are you lying now?