state's evidence

American  

noun

1. evidence given by an accomplice in a crime who becomes a voluntary witness against the other defendants.

   The defendants' case was lost when one of them turned state's evidence.

2. evidence for the state, especially in criminal trials.

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state's evidence British  

noun

1. the evidence for the prosecution given on behalf of a state in a criminal prosecution

2. Brit equivalent: king's evidence.   queen's evidence.  evidence given for the state by an accomplice against his former associates in crime (esp in the phrase turn state's evidence )

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Etymology

Origin of state's evidence

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

They could, however, provide his defence with a glimpse into the state's evidence against him.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2024

The state's evidence will get stronger with each passing plea as more and more insiders share information with the state and admit wrongdoing.

From Salon • Oct. 26, 2023

Glossip’s attorneys suggest other details from witness statements that conflicted with the state’s evidence also was never disclosed to them.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 27, 2023

In 1970, a project about Linda Kasabian, the Charles Manson acolyte who turned state’s evidence, failed to come together; fragments would emerge in “The White Album.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2021

These papers, in fact—along with the others Mrs. Heine has described, the ones her husband and his ‘buyer’ held—were entered, as you may recall, as state’s evidence in this trial.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson