A THRILLING SCENE IN COURT

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 739, 13 March 1877, Page 5 (Supplement)

A THRILLING SCENE IN COURT

The . following story is related by Samuel Warren as as having occurred m his own practice: — 'A. very, few years since, a man of higli respectability wag tried m England on a change of forging a will, m which it was discbvered he had an indirect interest to a Jarge amount. Mr. Warren was the associate prosecuting attorney, and the case was tried before Lord Denham. • The prisoner being arraigned and the formalities gone through with, the prosecutor, placing his thumb over the seal held up the will and demanded of the prisoner if he had seen the testator sign that instrument,', to which, he, promptly answered he bad. •And did you sign it at his request as subscribing witness ?' T did/ 'Was it sealed with red or black wax ?' 'With red wax.' 'Didyou see him seal it with red wax? 'I did. 1 . . t , Where was the testator when he signed and sealed this will ?' 'In his bed.' 'Pray, how long a piece of wax did he use ?' 'About three or four inches long.' 'Who gave the testator this piece of wax ?' 'I did.' 'Where did you get it?' 'From the drawer of his desfr/, > 'Row did he light that piece of wax ? 'With a candle.' • 'Where did that ppec 9! e c 9of caadte come from ?' 'I got, it out of a cupboard m his room. 'How long was tha t piece of candle ? r 'Perhaps four or fife inches long.' 'Who lit that piece&f candle ? ?' 'I lit it. 1 What with?' : . ' With a match ?'.|, Where did you gefejmfc match ?' On the mantel sheJlJn the room.' Here Warren panid'. and fixing his u? e^ fiep bi ? e c y c9 °n the prisoner he held the will up akve h?s head, his thumb still resting uj[6 : a the seat, said laa measnred solemi'tone : ' Now, sir, upon, jkv soiemn oath, you saw the testator ign that will— he signed it m his bed- -at his rer- • you sigued as a subscribing you saw him seal i| £a p? two, three, or four m |ep ' that wax with a piecf* you procured for *•*' 1 —yon lit .thifcfee/ you found^nffe ' I did.' J|J^ 'Once mol& '<"' oath, you dj —^^Ldf