An authoritative witness is one who, not having witnessed the facts that are discussed in a trial, is asked about the personality and character of the person being tried, that is, the accused, as well as about his personal conditions or his previous conduct. We know in advance that he will pronounce in favor of the accused and that the statement is intended to be relevant to assess the guilt or the measure of the sentence. We also know that it was previously heard by the defendant’s defense, or by the defendant himself, and we can be sure that it intends to contribute to a less burdensome assessment of the conduct of a certain defendant.
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