SIEVIER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 224, 15 September 1908, Page 3

SIEVIER TRIAL.

DRAM AT r 'J SCENES. London, July 31. The trial of Robert Standish Sievier on an indictment charging him with attempting to blackmail Air. J. B. Joel, was opened this week at the Central Criminal Court before tue Lord Chief Justice. The deep interest taken by the public in the case was indicated by the efforts which had Ibeen made to obtain an entrance to the court and the number of persons assembled outside to witness the ari rival of the principals concerned in the case. After having occupied four days, the i case came to an end last night with a wealth of dramatic incident. In a scene almost unparalleled for its outburst of public feeling both inside and outside the Old Bailev, the defendant was acquitted. Sir William Taylor, who was one of those sitting on the bench, said lie had never heard such ahoutmg in a court of law. Hats, sticks, umbrellas were waved in court, and a woman, gorgeously dressed, pushed her way through the crowd, and as Mr. Sievier was leaving the court she put her arms round his neck and kissed him. The Lord Chief Justice was evidently much amazed at the demonstration in court, and put his hand up to his head as if the noise were deafening to his ekrs. He said sharply, "It is a most disgraceful exhibition." Ushers and police who naturally expected the well dressed people hi court had that gift supposed to beloag to educated folk of restraining their feelings, were unable to prevent the demonstration, which was renewed when tire Lord Chief Justice said, "Jlr. Sievier, you are discharged." That was all the learned judge said —no warning, no comment. It was one of the shortest judicial speeches ever known.

The jury were absent rather more than an hour; they nearly all reUirnjed t smiling. "That siiiile means that Sievrer's off/*-whispered a man at the back of the court, and somehow everyone knew that the foreman was going_ to say. in answer to the usual question, "not guilty." They were only waiting for the foreman to say it to give vent to their feelings. "When one thinks what this ease means, one trembles at the power of money in the hands of an unscrupulous person, who docs not mind descending to dirty tricks. Let us think what it means. Imagine a man with the power of money knowing that another w'hom lie hated was hard up, on his ilieam-ends, and very broke. Tmagine the man with the money getting hold nf his cneir/s best friend and most trusted confidant, setting him to work in tempt his enemy with gold, forcing him to take it, making him take it, and when he had got it arresting 111111, prosecuting Mm. bringing him to the Old Bailev and trying to send him to durance vile!'' That is a typical p»san<*e from Mr. Knfns Isaacs' speech tor the defence. There were nianv such passages, every word of wax littered with tremendous vigour of voice and emphasised by strikm«ly evnressive gestures. Counsel _ for til defence was always fair to S>r Carson, and he used the phrase n>nrric of niv learned friends injpressiveness" The case was a battle nt. niants and a irreat personal triumph for Mr. Rufus T'nae?.