Res Gestae Definition

rās gĕstī, rēz jĕstē

noun

Things done; deeds.

American Heritage

Facts that are so closely connected with the occurrence in question as to be considered a part of it, and are thus admissible as evidence.

Webster's New World

Things done. Either the events at issue or other things, such as utterances, that are contemporaneous with the res gestae; spontaneous statements or exclamations made by the participants, perpetrators, victims, or onlookers at or immediately following the event, be it criminal or the subject of litigation. As present-sense impressions, they are excluded from the hearsay rule. See excited utterance.

Webster's New World Law

Origin of Res Gestae

Latin rēs gestae rēs pl. of rēs thing gestae feminine pl. past participle of gerere to carry, show

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition