BBM
No, the jury does not have to like KK. However, IMO, the jurors will decide whether they think she is a credible witness or not and whether they believe her testimony, etc. The following link provides some very helpful information regarding witnesses testifying.... Some areas of interest to me have been BBM.
What Makes Witnesses Trustworthy? How Can Reliability Be Called into Question? - Lawyers.com
It's up to juries to decide how much they believe witnesses who testify at trial.
But lawyers may "impeach" witnesses by raising doubts about their credibility or motives.
Witness testimony can be one of the most compelling types of evidence in a trial, especially in criminal cases But some witnesses are more trustworthy or believable than others. And witnesses sometimes contradict each other.
In jury trials, it’s up the jurors to decide whether and to what extent they believe any of the witnesses who testified at the trial. They’ll take into account the credibility of the witnesses when they’re deciding their verdict in the case.
Why Is a Witness’s Reliability Important?
Sometimes, a witness is the only source of a critical piece of information. Even when there’s also physical evidence, witnesses are the storytellers who can explain the evidence and create a coherent narrative that convinces the jury. And juries still place high value on eyewitness testimony, despite all the research on false recollection and cases where defendants were exonerated by DNA evidence after being fingered by eyewitnesses.
What Makes a Witness More or Less Believable?
Juries may consider many different factors when they’re deciding whether they believe witnesses’ testimony, including:
- Do the witnesses have a personal or financial interest in the case? For instance, do they have a relationship with the crime victim or one of the parties (the defendant or prosecution)?
- Did the government offer them leniency or immunity for their own possible crimes in return for their testimony?
- Are the witnesses biased for or against either party?
- Is the testimony clear, consistent, and convincing?
- Does other evidence support or contradict what the witnesses said? This could include a witness’s own previous statements that contradict the testimony at the trial.
- Do the witnesses have a reputation for being honest and trustworthy?
- Was there anything that hindered the witnesses’ ability to see or hear the events they’re testifying about? Do they have visual or hearing impairments? Were they under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time?
- Do the witnesses’ appearance and demeanor support or undermine their credibility? Do they appear uncertain or sure of their testimony? Juries might be less likely to believe witnesses whose age or mental condition suggests memory problems.