Heddings v. Steele

496 A.2d 1166 (1985)

From our private database of 46,500+ case briefs, written and edited by humans—never with AI.

Heddings v. Steele

Pennsylvania Supreme Court
496 A.2d 1166 (1985)

Facts

John and Edith Steele (plaintiffs) petitioned for primary custody of their grandchildren. The trial court denied John and Edith’s petition. During the trial court proceedings, the court admitted into evidence the testimony of eight witnesses who testified that Janet Steele Gatz, John and Edith’s daughter, told them that John had conducted an incestuous relationship with her when she was a child. Several witnesses testified that Janet told them that she became pregnant as a result of this sexual abuse. John and Edith objected to the testimony of these witnesses as hearsay, but the court admitted them. After the trial court denied them custody, John and Edith appealed, arguing that the witnesses’ testimony concerning John’s abuse was inadmissible hearsay.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Wickersham, J.)

What to do next…

  1. Unlock this case brief with a free (no-commitment) trial membership of Quimbee.

    You’ll be in good company: Quimbee is one of the most widely used and trusted sites for law students, serving more than 832,000 law students since 2011. Some law schools even subscribe directly to Quimbee for all their law students.

  2. Learn more about Quimbee’s unique (and proven) approach to achieving great grades at law school.

    Quimbee is a company hell-bent on one thing: helping you get an “A” in every course you take in law school, so you can graduate at the top of your class and get a high-paying law job. We’re not just a study aid for law students; we’re the study aid for law students.

Here's why 832,000 law students have relied on our case briefs:

  • Written by law professors and practitioners, not other law students. 46,500 briefs, keyed to 994 casebooks. Top-notch customer support.
  • The right amount of information, includes the facts, issues, rule of law, holding and reasoning, and any concurrences and dissents.
  • Access in your classes, works on your mobile and tablet. Massive library of related video lessons and high quality multiple-choice questions.
  • Easy to use, uniform format for every case brief. Written in plain English, not in legalese. Our briefs summarize and simplify; they don’t just repeat the court’s language.

Access this case brief for FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership
Here's why 832,000 law students have relied on our case briefs:
  • Reliable - written by law professors and practitioners, not other law students
  • The right length and amount of information - includes the facts, issue, rule of law, holding and reasoning, and any concurrences and dissents
  • Access in your class - works on your mobile and tablet
  • 46,500 briefs - keyed to 994 casebooks
  • Uniform format for every case brief
  • Written in plain English - not in legalese and not just repeating the court's language
  • Massive library of related video lessons - and practice questions
  • Top-notch customer support

Access this case brief for FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership