The K-Zone: Chandrasekera v R (1937)

[1937] AC 200 (PC). The victim of a fatal stabbing pointed out her assailant by gestures before she died. The defendant's appeal was inter alia that evidence given of these gestures at trial amounted to hearsay, and should have been excluded. The Privy Council held that the gestures, amounted to `verbal' statements, although not oral statements, and were properly to be considered hearsay. However, grounds were found within the criminal law of Ceylon to admit hearsay evidence in these circumstances, and the appeal was dismissed.

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