My room mate who I dislike greatly, wants me to be a witness to the argument his b/f and him had in front of me. His b/f filed a restraining order against him and now he has to go to court. I know that my testimony is not what my room mate wants to hear and I know it will not help his case, but if I told him this he'll get mad, if I decided not to be a witness he'll get mad and if I decide to go and I testify he'll probably get mad when he hears what I have to say. I don't want any problems with him at home since he could pull me into legal problems as well.
2007-04-25 07:43:14 · 6 answers · asked by jennytkd13 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I'm sorry, the question should be... SHOULD I be a witness, I understand that unless he subpoenas me I don't HAVE to.
2007-04-25 07:45:16 · update #1
well, I'm stuck with him until the end of summer, so I have to stay with him until then.
2007-04-25 07:48:59 · update #2
No i do not feel is a real danger to his ex, but I feel they both love to start all this drama. I dont side with either of them and I just dont want anything to do with them. BUT I have heard things from his ex such as he wanted to poison my food and all this other stuff. I think they are both psychotic.
2007-04-25 07:53:44 · update #3
Well, if the question is just a moral one, _should_ you be a witness, I think here's what you say:
"I will be a witness if you want me to, but realize that I will have to tell the truth because I'll be under oath. So I'll have to say what I saw, what I heard, and what I understood. I can't lie for you, and I can't stretch the truth to make it favorable to you in good conscience. Do you still want me to be a witness?"
I think he'd probably be much madder if you said "sure thing" and then went to the hearing and totally destroyed him. If you simply say "no" to him, he may not understand why you're saying no and think you're betraying him or leaving him hanging. Although he may be annoyed when you say what you say above, and he may want you to lie or change your testimony (which is a crime, of course...) at least he'll have an understanding of what your perception, and then he can make his own decision.
In addition If your testimony implicates you at all as an accessory to a crime, PLEASE seek legal advice before voluntarily testifying. Even if it doesn't, you may want to stop in and talk to a lawyer if you can.
2007-04-25 07:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends.
If you really believe that your roommate is a physical danger to his (I assume) ex to the point of seriously hurting him.
Either way, I would be looking for another place to live - obviously you don't feel safe with this man, so why live with him?
2007-04-25 14:49:29 · answer #2 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't like him and your truthful testimony will hurt his case, don't bother. I would also say something like this: "I'm choosing not to testify because you and I both know that my testimony will hurt your case." Or, simply say "I don't have time for this and I'm not risking perjury charges." Or, I'm not lying for you, so forget it."
2007-04-25 14:54:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I'd be a witness. And I think I'd file a restraining order of my own.
2007-04-25 14:49:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you a roommate to someone you dislike greatly?
Surely, you should get out and find yourself a new roommate.
2007-04-25 14:47:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like it's time for you to find somewhere else to live.
2007-04-25 14:52:04 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋