AN ENLIGHTENED JURY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1924, 1 August 1889, Page 4

AN ENLIGHTENED JURY.

O'Oonriell, defending a prisoner at Cork related the following anecdote to the Jury:— " Seme years ago I went specially to Clonmell Assizes, and accidentally witnessed a trial which I shall never forget. ««A wretched man,- a native; of that County, was charged with the murder of his neighbour. It seemed that an ancient feud existed between them. They met at a fair, and exchanged blows; again that evening they met at a low pot-house, and the bodily interference of friends alone prevented a fight between them. "The prisoner was heard to vow vengeance against his rival. The ■wretched victim left the house, followed soon after by the prisoner, and was found next day on the roadBide, murdered, and his face so barbarously beaten in by a stone that he could only be identified by his dress. " The facts were strong against the priipber-—in fact, it was the strongest carfe-of circumstantial evidence 1 ever met with..' As a; form' (of his guilt there was no doubt), the prisoner was called for his defence. "He called—to the surprise of everyohe-^-the;murdered man. And the murdered man came forward. It geemed that another man had been murdered-f-.thijf the identification by dress wob vague, for all the peasantry of Tipperary wear the same description of clothes—that the pre»umed victim having got a hint that he would be arrested"under,the Whiteboy Act had fled, and only returned, with a noble and Irish feeling of justice, when he found that his ancient foe was in jeopardy on his account. The case was dear: the prisoner was innocent. " The Judge ; told the Jury that it wag unnecessary to charge them. They requested permission to retire; they returned 5 in about two hours, when the Foreman, with a long face, handed in the verdict,' Guilty.' " Everyone was astonished. '?'.' Good God!' said the Judge, 'of what 'is he guilty ? Not of murder, surely P.' '.'.' '"No, my lord,' said the Foreman* * but if he 5 did not murder that man> sure he Btole my grey mare three years ago.'"