THE PAGET CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8845, 22 June 1907, Page 3

THE PAGET CASE.

MrWiiford’s Explanationf „ . Press Association. r Wellington, Juno 20. Justices Cooper and Button had to deal with an unusual matter in the Supreme Court to-day. When Claude Paget'was 'found guilty of murder a few weeks ago his counsel, after the Court adjourned, made some remarks to the jurymen about their verdict. Action was subsequently taken and a rule nisi obtained calling on Mr Wilford to justify hia conduct. When counsel moved to-day to make this rule absolute, Mr Wilford, who appeared unrobed, said he wished to repeat to their Honors the expressions of regret he had already tendered to the jurymen by letter. He Was at the time highly overwrought and forgot himself. Ho was convinced that Paget did not know what he had done, Mr , Justice Cooper said it was important that juries should not bo interfered with in any way. Ho had noticed that in the later stages of Paget’s trial Mr Wilford was in an extreme state of nervous tension, and if this condition had not obtained this matter would not have come before the Court. The Court therefore considered it would be sufficient if it ordered Mr Wilford to pay costs of the proceedings without inflicting further penalty on him.