[OTPTT]

Originally Posted by Contumacyman

The only way a person exercising critical thinking here can entertain the notion that Ed actually had that conversation is if the Feds let Ed's experts have a good go at the alleged ORIGINAL tape.

Best Evidence Rule

The best evidence rule applies when a party wants to admit as evidence the contents of a document at trial, but that the original document is not available. In this case, the party must provide an acceptable excuse for its absence. If the document itself is not available, and the court finds the excuse provided acceptable, then the party is allowed to use secondary evidence to prove the contents of the document and have it as admissible evidence. The best evidence rule only applies when a party seeks to prove the contents of the document sought to be admitted as evidence.