DRAMATIC END.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 7

DRAMATIC END.

MEDIUM'S LAWSUIT. Trance Interrupts Judge's Summing Up. CASE AGAINST "DAILY MAIL." (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copy righr) (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. In the libel case brought by the medium, Mrs. Morris, against the "Daily Mail," the jury was absent for four hours and returned a verdict on behalf of the "Daily Mail" regarding the plea of fair comment, but the allegation of fraud was not proved. Mr. Justice McCardie gave the opinion that Mrs. Morris was entitled to costs. Regarding the plea of justification Mrs. Morris has appealed. The judge's summing up was interrupted by Mrs. Morris standing, and with her eyes closed, exclaiming in a deep voice: "Hearken to my voice brother judge," whereupon Judge McCardie said: "We have had so much of this" and ordered her to be taken out. As the usher approached Mrs. Morris she said: "Don't touch her until I've left the body." She then collapsed and was carried out unconscious.

TRANCE IN COURT. Spiritualist Causes Amazing Scene. UNDER " CONTROL." LONDON, April 15. There iva« an astonishing scene in the King's Bench Division of the High Court when Mrs. Meurig Morris, a spiritualist medium, who was undergoing crossexamination in the libel case in which she is claiming damages from the "Daily Mail," (suddenly turned pale, stood stiffly as if in a trance, with clenched hands and straining eyes, and muttered "The Christ." An usher rushed to nor assistance, but spiritualists who crowded the Court shouted excitedly, "Don't touch her. She's under control." Mr. Justice McCardie ordered that nobody touch Mrs. Morris, who presently raised her hands to her face and burst into tears. Recovering her composure, she said, "It's all right The vision of Christ came." Women sobbed hysterically, and Rev. John. Lamond, a well-known Scottish spiritualist, stood at the solicitors' table waving his arms and shouting. "It'ts an indignity." Mr. Justice McCardie adjourned the Court after which there was another dramatic incident. A gramophone was produced in Court and a record played of a sermon delivered by Mrs. Morris while "under control" of the spirit she calls "Power." A baritone voice alternating with Mrs. Morris' normal tones rang through the hushed Court, spiritualists listening with bowed heads and clasped hands.

Mrs. Morris claims to be controlled by other spirits, including "Little Sunshine," an Irish priest named Father O'Keefe, a French nun named Sifter Magdalene, and an Indian squaw. She tearfully told Mr. Justice McCardie that Magdalene was present in Court, dressed in purple, and add d, "I wish you could see her." Mrs. Morris' claim refers to an article ill the "Daily Mail,*- headed "Power's Sermon Jargon," and also a contents bill, "Trance Medium Found Out." Mr. Justice McCardie has arranged for the jury to hear a talking film made while Mrs. Morris was in a trance.