"Where are the originals? They did not have photocopiers in 1971. If someone gave Rather a photocopy, then they must have the original."
YOu're right..this pisses me off. Without the originals anyone can forge anything. Will photocopy stand up in court as evidence? I don't think so.
nick
It's admissisble, but if there is a question about the authenticity of the signature, it's subject to attack, and the genuineness is to be determined by the jury. Any expert will tell you that you can't give a very good handwriting opinion from a photocopy. What I find significant is that Rather says he only has a photocopy, but makes no effort to explain what happened to the originals.
Dan Savage on the radio now. The hits just keep coming.
The timing (end of the week) is suspicious.
Under special circumstances, yes...but it requires a witness and a chain of custody - at least that's my experience.