Clause 98 - Admissibility of hearsay evidence
Criminal Justice Bill
10:30 am
Ms Vera Baird (Redcar, Labour)
In fact, it was the res gestae rules that I was most concerned might not make it over the hurdle. It can happen—I have forgotten the name of the case that illustrates this—that someone whose throat has just been cut says, ''Dominic Grieve did it'' and then dies, but one can do nothing to challenge that evidence. If one is trying to achieve balance, it might
not be in the interests of justice to include that evidence, but it is overwhelmingly necessary that it should be included. That area gives me most cause for concern and defeats the hon. Gentleman's argument.