A Juvenile Witness
In one of our courts recently a nine-yoar-old boy was placed on the witness stand, but before he began to testify the defendant's counsel objected and would not allow him to give his evidence, asking the court to pass an opinion on his intelligence and his idea ofthe responsibility of an oath. "Question him on those points,' was the judge^ reply. • How old are you V began the lawyer. t Nine years old.' 4 Work or go to school V 'Do both— sell papers and flowers,' ' Do you know what an oath is V 'Tell the truth in this case, sure.' ' Now if you should not state the truth and tell a lie what would become of you in the next world V 'lhe boy, after hesitating awhile, answered : • I don't know what will bacome oi me in this world, let alone the next.' • Proceed, Mr Anthony,' said the Judge, 4 the boy seems to have more than ordinary intelligence.' *
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS18920908.2.33
Bibliographic details
Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 35, 8 September 1892, Page 4
Word Count
163A Juvenile Witness Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 35, 8 September 1892, Page 4
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