A Lesson for Jurymen

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 138, 11 May 1893, Page 2

A Lesson for Jurymen

A farmer residing at Bengworden (Victoria), named Thomas Howe was one of the jury empannelled to try A. and H. Gibson, chained with an unlawful assault upon an Indian hawker. On the Wodne day evening the accused were allowed out on bail, and the jury, having been severely cautioned by his Honor not to speak to anyone concerning the case, were discharged till the next morning. Bowe was seen that night by the police in company with one of the prisoners. On resuming Howe was questioned by his Honor, and said that the prisoner and be had just discovered that they were ie« latod, and that the only conrersation be* I tween them was in regard to family mat* ters. In consequence of this disclosure, the prisoners were tried before another jury, who found them guilty. Bowe was ordered to appear before the Court next morning, when his Honor said he had been guilty of very serious misconduct. Tho duty of a juryman was the most honorable and important a citizen could discharge. It was the boast of British jurisprudence that, whatever was urged against our jurymen, it could always be said they were impartial. Great confidence was placed in th> uprightness of jurymen, and he had never heard of that confidence beiog violated till now. , lie was at • loss to know what to <fo with the case of the offending juryman. Con" fidenoe in trial by jury would vanish if such conduct was to pass lightly. He did not accept Bowe's statement that he bad acted in ignorance, because he was not only warned before leaving the jurybox not to speak to any person concerning the. case, but he admitted telling his friend, whom he was trying, that theie was a oonstable watching him, and he should not bo seen in his company. It seemed inconceivable that a man of Bowe's ago and , intelligence pould be guilty of such an act, and apparently not feel the enormity of it. If he (his Hpnor) thought Bowe had acted corruptly, and had intended to get the prisoners acquitted out of friendehipand without any regard to the evidence, he would send him to gaol. But he act quitted him of that, and thought a fine would meet the case, Bowe was then fined £20, to be paid within 24 hours, and to be deprived of his fees as a jury man. . .