Where evidence of a statement is ambiguous in chief but unequivocally resolved in cross-examination and re-examination as exculpatory, the trial judge must not leave it to the jury as a possible admission. In a joint trial, the trial judge must direct the jury that admissions by one co-accused are inadmissible against the other. However, such errors may not result in a substantial miscarriage of justice where the circumstantial evidence overwhelmingly establishes guilt independently of the impugned admissions.
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