Supreme Court—Criminal Sessions.

Manawatu Herald, 1 December 1892, Page 2

Supreme Court—Criminal Sessions.

TuiiSDAY, NOVEMBES 29, (Before His Honor the Chief Justice.) THE WOODVIL'LIS SKNS \TION. In the case of Wm. Syms, of Woodvile, charged with having at" tempted to procure abortion, Mr Edwards quoted the case of Kegina v. Allen in support of his application fora special jury. In answer to his Honor Mr Bell said that to the best of his recollection he believed that a special jury was allowed in the case against Hall at Timaru several years ago* His Honor said he was rather indisposed to do what was requested, but he did not see how ho could refuse the application in consequence of the precedents which had been quoted. At any rate he did not propose to create a difficulty in this case. No doubt he had ample power to do what was asked of him. He, himself, would have thought that the granting of special juries in criminal cases was limited to misdodemeanours, of a class similar to those tried in England by special juries. He thought it undesirable to introduce such a thing into criminal law. Still he" did not think it necessary to delay the matter further now. Several instances in which special juries were granted in cases of felony ha-l been cited, and therefore a special jury would be granted in this case. It was then arranged that the trial should take place on the 1 4th of December. — A.Z. Times.