INFLUENCING A JURY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 125, 19 February 1921, Page 6

INFLUENCING A JURY

SEQUEL TO FOXTON PERJURY CASE OFFENDER SENT TO PRISON A> the Palmerston North Supreme Court this week Thomas Martin was charged with having attempted to i» fluence certain jurymen, who were in the panel in connection with the chargo of perjury against F. S. Easton, at a previous sitting of the Court, when Easton was acquitted. When referring to the indictment in his address to the grand jury. Mr. Justice Salmond pointed out that this was the first case of its kind in the. Dornin ion, and the charge was « scno " B one His Honour said that the administration of criminal justice in British countries had long been on example to the rest oi the world for purity, strength, and efficiency. Any attempt at bribery or other corrupt means to destroy these qualities for which our laws had always been’ dWtinguished was a softbus attack. He Imped that it would be a long time before it could be said in New Zealand that it was more difficult to convict a rich man than a poor man.

The evidence given in the lower Court was repeated. The jury, after an hour’s retirement, brought in a verdict of guilty on two counts.

His Honour said that he entirely agreed with the verdict, and could only regard the offence as very serious. The whole strength and efficiency of the jury system depended upon the absolute immunity of jurymen from corrupting influences, bribery, threats, and improper interference. He did not know to what extent accused was acting on his own or to what extent he was influenced by some other party to act in such a manner. He could not think of admitting him to probation or of imposing a fine. Accused had got to serve a term of imprisonment which would be a lesson to him, and to the whole of the community. Interference with the courts o£ justice in this Dominion would not be tolerated. Accused was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment in Wellington Gaol with hard labour.