COURT SENSATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1917, Page 5

COURT SENSATION.

o*WITNESS HYPNOTISED IN DIVORCE CASE. Wellington, Yesterday. There was more than one unusual circumstance about the divorce case Kerr v. Kerr, heard in tho Supreme Court here, and in which the jury returned a verdict for £IOOO damages against the corespondent. It came out in evidence that co-respondent (Raymond Victor Bythelli was in his spare time a mesmerist. From what happened in court, Bythell can evidently claim to be a toesmcriefc in the real sense of the word, Petitioner (the husband) was giving evidence in the witness-box, when suddenly his eyes became riveted in a glassy stare on co-respondent in the rear of the court. Then Kerr appeared to stagger. The court became alarmed, and on inquiry, as to what was the matter witness declared Bythell was hypnotising him. There was quite a sensation. Mr. H. F. O'Leary, counsel for petitioner, asked his Honor to direct that Bythell should leave the court. The judge acquiesced, and the hypnotist was ordered to remove himself from the court until called upon. Counsel for co-respondent (Mr. T. M. Wilford) characterised the incident as a bit of theatrical display. Later in tho ease, when respective counsel addressed tho court, it was noticed that petitioner ensconced himself behind ihis counsel so that his protecting back intervened between himself and co-respondent, who was opposite. Argument is to be heard in Chambers In a day or two as to the decision of the jury in bringing in a verdict tor £IOOO damages against Bythell.