American Paint and Floor Covering v. Public Service Elec. & Gas Co., 163 N.J.Super. 210, 394 A.2d 412 (Law Div 1978)
Practice Areas: General Liability
Operator of retail business and owner of building wherein business was operated brought suit against gas and electric utility, alleging that a fire and explosion that substantially destroyed the building was caused by the utility’s negligent installation of a service line. The utility sought to impeach the owner of the building, who had testified, by presenting evidence concerning the owner’s prior criminal convictions. The Superior Court, Law Division, Morton I. Greenberg, J. S. C., held that the utility could introduce for the purpose of affecting the owner’s credibility, evidence that the owner of the building had been convicted on sex charges and of possession of explosives with intent to use them unlawfully.