JUDGMENT BY PEERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21656, 14 December 1935, Page 9

JUDGMENT BY PEERS

ACQUITTAL OF LORD DE CLIFFORD MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPTEIOHT.) LONDON, December 12. Into the presence of 100 peers in scarlet ermine and four advisory lords, Mr Justice Branson, Mr Justice Goddard, Mr Justice Swift, and Mr Justice Charles, Black Rod ushered in Lord de Clifford, who, bowing to the vacant throne, submitted himself to the judgment of his peers on a charge of manslaughter arising out of a motoring accident. Lord de Clifford, whose title dates back to 1299, is a racing motorist. He was accused of the manslaughter of Douglas Hopkins, also a racing motorist, who died after a collision between their cars at Kingston. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham, presided as Lord High Steward. Otherwise the proceedings were like those of an ordinary court. Lord de Clifford was acquitted on the advisory judges upholding the submission of Sir Henry CurtisBennett, the famous K.C., who appeared on his behalf, that there was no case to answer. Sir Henry asked: “Could it be criminal negligence if in the agony of the moment before the collision Lord de Clifford took what he believed to be the only course?”