SYMPATHY OF JURIES
WARNING BY JUDGE. AUCKLAND, August 12. > "A court of justice is not a charitable institution,” said Mr Justice Kerdman in the Supreme Court yesterday, when instructing the jury in a claim for damages. ‘‘When plaintiff conies into Court seeking to obtain damages, lie is hound to show that defendant is ‘in court’ and has been guilty of some neglect.” The present case, said his Honour, was an important one and a peculiar one. Although plaintiff had the whole initial responsibility of proving negli-, genee, counsel called but two witnesses, one ail expert who gave evidence about cars and the other an eye-wit-ness who declared that, in his opinion the driver of the motor lorry was guilty of no neglect at' all. Of course, everyone sympathised with a widowed woman and with her children, but if juries were to give verdicts based upon sympathy alone, without having regard to the evidence, then a scandal would be .perpetrated and the administration of justice would to some extent, be tarnished. The jury brought in a verdict 'for the defendant.
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Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1930, Page 5
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179SYMPATHY OF JURIES Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1930, Page 5
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