A cop’s testimony on the witness stand is vital to the prosecution’s case. Over the years, cops learn never to volunteer information, and to give direct and concise answers.

Such was the case of the State of South Carolina v Willis. Officer George did not see the crime committed, but arrested the fleeing suspect based on a physical description given to him on the police radio.

The defense lawyer was hoping to shoot down the prosecution’s case by intimidating Officer George during testimony.

Defense attorney: "Officer George, did you see my client, Mr. Willis, actually fleeing from the scene of the crime?"

Officer George: "No, sir. I subsequently observed a person who matched the description of the suspect running several blocks from the scene of the crime."

Attorney: "And who gave you the description of the suspect?"

Officer: "The officer who first arrived at the scene of the crime."

Attorney: "Your fellow officer, the one who gave you the description of the supposed offender. Do you trust the word of this officer?"

Officer: "Yes, sir, I’d trust him with my life!"

Seeing a chance to discredit the cop’s testimony, the defense lawyer sets a verbal trap: "You trust him with your life? That’s interesting. Tell me, Officer George, do you have a place where you change into your uniform before your daily duties?"

Officer: "Yessir."

Defense: "And are there lockers in that room?"

Officer: "Yessir, there are."

Defense: "And do you place a padlock on your locker?"

Officer: "Yessir, I do."

Lawyer: "Then explain to me, officer, why you trust the other officers with your life, yet you find it necessary to place a padlock on your locker in a room you share with these same officers?"

Officer: "Well, sir, we share the building with the entire court complex, and sometimes lawyers might walk through our locker room."