When do zomeim witnesses receive their punishment?
For punishment to apply: both witnesses must be fully qualified, both must be disqualified through hazamah, and this must occur after judgment is rendered. If only one is disqualified or it happened before judgment, no punishment applies.
Question 2
If three or more witnesses testify consecutively in court and only some are disqualified through hazamah, when are they punished?
If testimonies were consecutive (within 'student greeting teacher' time), all must be disqualified for any to be punished. If there was a longer interval, the testimonies are split — and those within the disqualified group are punished while others are not.
Question 3
Group A disqualifies the original witnesses. Group B disqualifies Group A. Group C disqualifies Group B. Who is executed?
The pattern alternates. When Group B disqualifies Group A: Group A is executed and the defendant is saved. When Group C disqualifies Group B: Group B and the defendant are executed, Group A is saved. Odd-numbered disqualifying groups and the defendant are executed together.
Question 4
Witnesses testify against a trefe (terminally ill) person and are later disqualified through hazamah. Are they executed?
The mirror principle requires that the intended punishment be executable. Since one who kills a trefe person is not executed (the person was already dying), the zomeimim also cannot be executed.
Question 5
A second witness says 'I also testify like him' after the first witness testifies. Both are later disqualified through hazamah. Are both punished?
Any witness who says 'I also' or 'yes, this is what happened' after his colleague testifies is treated as having testified and been cross-examined in full. Both are subject to zomeim punishment if disqualified.