EXHIBITING A CHILD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 102, 20 October 1911, Page 5

EXHIBITING A CHILD.

»ID IT INFLUENCE THE JURY? By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. The Appeal Court 10-day had before . it a case rather out of usual lines in the shape of Rex v. Boakes. The latter was tried for perjury in an affiliation case at Auckland. During the trial ' the complainant sat for the greater part of the hearing facing the jury , with a child on her lap about the age of that mentioned in the indictment, fairhaired like accused, and its hair , said to be brushed as nearly as possible in the same way as that of Boakes. When the Crown Prosecutor referred " ' to the child ,Mr. Justice Chapman stopped him. In the case stated.the Judge says he is unable 'to say that the jury were not influenced by the exhibition of the child. The Appeal Court is now asked to say whether these facts vitiate the verdict, and if so whether the conviction should be quashed, or whether there should be a new trial. Mr. D. Smith is for the prisoner, and the Solicitor-General and Mr. Ostler for the Crown. Wellington, Last Night. After flearing lengthy argument in the case of Hex v. Boakes, the Court of Appeal reserved its decision.