In the Perry Mason stories , the actual culprit is discovered when
Perry subjects him/her to close cross-examining during the trial of
the defendent
 (who of course is always innocent)

 Are there any REAL examples of this happening during a courthouse trial
  (i.e. the actual culprit confesses during the trial when he/her is called as
 a witness)

  Cheers

  Mongolia

---

Clarification of Question by mongolia-ga on 18 Jan 2004 06:08 PST

Any progress on this?

Perhaps.

In Corpus Christi, Texas, recently, a witness in a murder trial
claimed to have been the real killer. However, the jury still found
the defendant guilty -- presumably, the jury thought the witness,
already serving a 45-year sentence for another murder, had nothing to
lose by trying to take the blame for his friend's crime.

Source: Brad Olson, "Mendez Guilty in Spring Break Killing," Corpus
Christi Caller-Times 21 Nov. 2003:
http://www1.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_2446336,00.html

Even though this question is expired I would still be keeen to get an answer.
 Perhaps the answer is that it has simply never happened in real life. 

 Any further answers or comments would be most welcomed.

  Cheers

  Mongolia