In a burglary case, Jane testifies that she heard her neighbor, Tom, admitting to breaking into the victim's house. Jane did not personally hear the admission but learned about it from another person who knew Tom. Is Jane's testimony admissible based on the requirement of personal knowledge?
No, Jane lacks direct knowledge of Tom's admission.
Jane's testimony is not admissible because she lacks direct personal knowledge of Tom's admission. The requirement of personal knowledge mandates that a witness must have directly perceived the fact they are testifying about. Hearsay exceptions regarding admissions do not apply in this scenario, attesting to the reliability of her source does not substitute for firsthand knowledge, and testimony about admissions is not permitted without personal awareness.
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