A FRIEND ON THE JURY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9076, 17 February 1908, Page 3

A FRIEND ON THE JURY.

A dramatic episode ? marked the a case at the Clerkenwell Sessions, in •which Charles. Brooks, butcher, was indicted for baring embezzled, £2 9a 2}£d belonging to his empldyer. At the con elusion of the " evidence , Brooks asked if there 1 wais anyone in court willing to testify to his character. One gentleman responded; and then the foreman of the jury left the box and whispered to Mr Hodgkinson, the clerk of the court, who announced that one of the jurymen desired to go into the-witness-box and speak on behalf of Brooks. The juror said he had known Brooks for years as an hondst, respeC tabJ e, industr i ous man,; who had held good situations. Brooks burst into tears and sobbed loudly, supporting his head on the dock ledge. The juror, who spoke with emotion, went on; “We used /to meet together at a certain place on Sunday afternoons, and I am very, very sorry to see him here in this position. I had no idea we should meet face to face like this. Brooks shook and sobbed for many minutes. The jury consulted fora few moments and returned a verdict of' Guilty. Detective-Sergeant Wyborn said Brook’s downfall was probably attributable to his love for \fine clothes. Sentence was postponed. Addressing the juror who had spoken, the judge (Mr Lovelandl/oveland) said : “Ido not want to ■say anything to hurt your feelings, :bnt if you are serving on a jury ■again where'a prisoner is a friend of yours, it would he wiser for youlat •once to notify the court, so that may be relieved.” The juror: I would. much rather have been absent, but this is my first experience here. The Judge: Supposing ,the verdict had been different, it .might have been very serious indeed, an , action for. malicious prosecution might have been started, and an enormous amount of' damage done and expense incurred, /