Great Libel Case

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 35, 5 September 1889, Page 2

Great Libel Case

. » The libel action— Beli v. .Tellicoe— in which the plaintiff claims £5000 damages for hbol contained in a statement made by the defendant in an interview with Louis Chemis during an interview at the Terrace Gaol, willbe commenced before Mr Justice Richmond and a special jury in the Supreme Oourt this morning. SirEobert Stout, with him Mr' Edwards, will appear for "the plaintiff, and Mr Jelhcoe will defend himself. (per press association.) Wellington, This Day. ' The libel action, Bell v. Jellicda, and' claim for £5000, began before Judge Richmond and a special jury-this moming.' The Court was crowded. - The alleged libel web an allegation by Jellicofr man interview at the Terrace Gaol between him and the convict Chemis, that: he had a ma s of eviience in the prisoner's favor, a large portion of which had been keptback by the prosecution: In defence it was pleaded the worda~ did not bear the construction imputed, and if they did reflect on Mr Bell, justification was pleaded. . Sir R. Stout made a brief address, pointing out the gravity of the accusation against a man in the position of Crown Solicitor, that he had kept back evidence which might prevent a man being deprived of his life, and asked for exemplary damages. Most of the evidence, so far, has been that of newspaper editors and reporters who proved ptiblicatio'n. Jellicoe's cross-ex-amination is directed to showing that he did not ask them to publish anything, and the matter was entirely at their own discretion;-