brown (01/08/83)
My lawyer (and NY legislator) buddy sez: 1) the cute technicality about the original vs. copy distinction wouldn't have stood up for obvious reasons, but 2) once testimony is disallowed, judge can give such strong instructions to jury that contrary jury rulings are basically not possible (i.e. equivalent to mistrial?). This latter fact (viz. the jury is not "the law") was a shock to me. Anyway, thank God for our efficient and effective legal system (20 more lawyers per capita than Japan, I hear). Some-of-my-best-friends-are-parasites CB