Ellis v. City of Chicago
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
667 F.2d 606 (7th Cir. 1981)
Relevant factsFree
The Ellises (plaintiffs) sued a police officer and the City (defendants) after the officer shot their dog, and at trial the district court denied the Ellises' request to ask leading questions during direct examination of two City police employees they called as witnesses, even though those witnesses were City employees and thus identified with an adverse party; the witnesses were not evasive or hostile on the stand, and the jury found for the defendants.
IssueFree
Whether a party may use leading questions during direct examination if the party calls a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.