A JURY PANEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1924, Page 4

A JURY PANEL.

COURT SPECTATORS INCLUDED. DUNEDIN, May 0. An unusual incident occurred at the Supreme Court when a jury was being empanelled in connexion with a case of alleged malpractice. The usual panel of 10 jurors had been subpoenaed for the criminal sessions, but the 12 men who had served on the “ringing-in” ease had been discharged by nis Honour from further service (hiring that session, and nnothei 12 had retired a few minutes previously to deliberate on an asstilt ease. This left an attenuated panel 1 1*0111 which to choose a jmy. Counsel for accused exhausted his right lurthor to challenge when he had asked six to “stand aside.” and the Crown Prosecutor. who had unlimited light to •‘stand aside.'' had (-.till six -eat* to till when all the names had been drav from the ballot box. The names of those ordered to stand aside by the Crown were then put back into the ballot box. and two were selected. This still left four vacant seals. COURT DOORS CLOSED.

Ili-, Honour AL Justice Deed then ordered Hie Cmiri doors to be closed, ai.d the Court ii-lier was then instructed to take the lir.'t four nu-n in the front row of the spectators in the body -of the Court, commencing on the right hand' Tin* Court win crowded. principally with medical studciils and the first man selected was a well known university footballer. He was followed by three others, some of whom were currying their lecture note lmoks. The students appeared smprised. when called on to serve as jurymen, and laughter greeted them as they filed into the iurv box. UXANI.Mi iI'SI.Y DISAG HEED. At the close of the same ci'.'c. so Inins it went, there was a tom-li ol humour.

The jury ictired at -bo!) p.m.. and returned at 0.02 p.m. A\ ben asked by the registrar whether the jury had agreed upon its verdict, ihc Ini-emim said : AVe have unanimously decide I that we cannot come to an agreement, and there is no chance of us agreeing. It is half mid half (Laughter). Wo might as well he discharged light away. AVe are hopelessly divided. His Honour: lam sorry, gentlemen, (bat you cannot : grew. T cannot discharge you until you bare deliberated for lour hours. The foreman : Tf your Honour could see your way to supply 11s with a few cigars, I Ibink wo could see the four urs out.

His Honour: I don’t know whether T can furnish you with cigars, but 1 will see that you get something to oat. I will return at a quarter to nine.

AA’lien the jury returned at 8.50 the foreman said no agreement had been reached.