PERFECTLY IMPARTIAL.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4657, 7 December 1883, Page 3

PERFECTLY IMPARTIAL.

I here had been some difficulty experienced in obtaining a jury, and the court was getting tired of the tedious proceedings: " Call the next juror, Mr Clerk/, said the solicitor, for the hundredth lime. The clerk called out the man, and an old man with a honest face and a suit of blue jean clothes rose up in his place, Bnd the solicitor asked.the following customary questions :—" Have you, from having seenthe.crime committed or having heard any of evidence delivered under oath, formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner at the bar?" "No, sir." "Is there any bias or prejudice resting on your mind for or against'the prisoner at the bar?" " None, sir." "Is your mind perfectly impartial between the State and the accused P" "It is." All the questions had been answered, and the court was congratulating itself on having another juror, and the solicitor in solemn tones sard, <*?uror, look upon the prisonerprisoner look upon the juror," The old man adjusted his spectacles, and peeringly gazed at the prisoner for fully half a minute, when he turned his eyes towards the ctfurt and earnestly said :—" Judge, I'll be condemned if I don't believe he's guilty !" It is useless to add that the court was considerably exasperated at having lost a juror, but the more humorously inclined had a good laugh out of the old man's premature candour.