A SINGULAR ACTION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2574, 21 June 1881, Page 3

A SINGULAR ACTION.

A case possessing some most extraordinary features, says the “ Ballarat Star,” was concluded yesterday at the Assize Court before His Honor Mr Justice Higinbotham. The plaintiff, William Griffiths sued Messrs Holmes and Salter, solicitors, of Ballarat, for the recovery of the sum of £20,000 for alleged carelessness and neglect on the part of defendants in conducting a case in the Court of Assizes at Ballarat, at which plaintiff was found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to six months imprisonment. The offence consisted in the alleged malpractice of Griffiths in an accouchraent, the result being that mother and child both died. The trial commenced on and was only concluded last evening. During its course the plaintiff made some astounding assertions. He alleged that the majority of the witnesses for the prosecution had wilfully committed perjury, that the medical witnesses had maliciously given false evidence, and that . his barrister and solicitors had conspired together to pervert the evidence in the case. A host of witnesses were called, both on behalf of the plaintiff, and the defendants, and Griffiths himself, conducting his own case, occupied the witness-box for about five hours on the first day. He made the most strenuous exertions to prove his case, cross examining the witnesses at a great length. The counsel for the defence characterised the action as a most shameful one. Eventually the jury returned a verdict for the defendants without retiring, and, in addition, that plaintiff had not proved himself innocent of the charge of manslaughter, and had been legally convicted.”