ONLOOKERS AT COURT CASES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 837, 8 June 1910, Page 5

ONLOOKERS AT COURT CASES

DO THEY ACT AS PROMPTERS?

Another indirect illustration of tho trouble which may fall on witnesses who disobey tho order to leave tile S;M. Court when commanded to do so was given dijring the hearing of a civil action yesterday. The trouble arose on a statement by counsel for the plaintiff (Mr. A. R. Atkinson) who suggested that information had been given to witnesses outside by a person inside. The magistrate, .Mr. W. R. "Haselden, S.M.,- immediately. demanded who the. man was. Mr. Atkinson repeated the statement and pointed out a man standing at the back of the Court. The man was ordered to come forward and he was questioned closely by his Worship. He absolutely denied that lie had said anything to anyone outside as to what he had heard witnesses say in the Court. Mr. Hnselden remarked that if the man. was proved to have done this he would have had, very much against his will, but in the interests of justice, to deal .with the offender very severely by filling him or even by sending him to prison. The man persisted in his denial and his Worship then asked Mr. Atkinson how he became possessed of the information.

Counsel then indicated n second man and lie in turn was closely questioned. He said he had been watching the first, man and had seen him more than once leaving the Court and going out to thb witnesses, lie had, in fact, observed him in conversation with three young men interested in the case. For himself, he had no interest in the case whatever.

When IJio first mail again absolutely denied having carried any information to anyone, his Worship said it was evidently a misunderstanding and he was very glad it was.