to turn queen's evidence

1 definition found

to turn queen's evidence - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Evidence \Ev"i*dence\, n. [F. ['e]vidence, L. Evidentia. See
     Evident.]
     1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which
        furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof;
        the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our
        senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen.
                                                    --Heb. xi. 1.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              O glorious trial of exceeding love
              Illustrious evidence, example high.   --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. One who bears witness. [R.] "Infamous and perjured
        evidences." --Sir W. Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Law) That which is legally submitted to competent
        tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any
        alleged matter of fact under investigation before it;
        means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking,
        not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect
        of it. --Greenleaf.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc. See
        under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc.
  
     Crown's evidence, King's evidence, or Queen's evidence,
        evidence for the crown, in English courts; equivalent to
        state's evidence in American courts. [Eng.]
  
     State's evidence, evidence for the government or the
        people. [U. S. ]
  
     To turn King's evidence To turn Queen's evidence, or To turn State's evidence
     , to confess a crime and give evidence
        against one's accomplices.
  
     Syn: Testimony; proof. See Testimony.
          [1913 Webster]