"FLIMSY EXCUSE”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 24, 28 December 1925, Page 2

"FLIMSY EXCUSE”

OUT-SPOKEN JUDGE. SUSSEX SENSATION. LONDON, Dec. 16 During the resumed hearing, at the Lewes Assizes to-day of tho case in which Hayley Moriss and his wife Madeline are charged with conspiracy, a young man was giving evidence regarding a heated interview ho had with Moriss at tho latter’s mansion, at Pippingford Park, about Moriss’s attentions to his fiancee, whom tho Morrisses had motored to Pippingford after engaging her in conversation in a Brighton street, when Mrs Morriss fainted, and tho trial was dclayqd for five minutes to enable her to bo carried out of the dock; but she quickly recovered. A surprise was caused by the counsel for tho defence announcing that ho would not call evidence. Sir Henry Curtis-Bcnnctt, Iv.C., said ho had advised Mrs Morriss not to enter the box in view of Mr Justice Avory’s refusal to hear medical evidence. “MISREPRESENTATION. ’ ’ Mr Justico Avory replied: “I have been threatened with tho Court of Appeal becauso 1 refused to accept medical evidence. That is misrepresentation. I liuvo already heard evidence, and still ani satisfied that she not only is fit to stand her trial, if desired, is also fit to give evidence. In his summing-up, Mr Justico Avory said that the jury had been asked to declare that Morriss was not guilty because ho had been unable to enter tho witness-box, owing to his co-defendant’s alleged physical inability to go there. “Aro yuo goino- to bo deceived by such a fimsy excuse?” demanded His Honour, who emphasised the fact that there was. no reason why tho girls should publicly relate stories bringing discredit on themselves - if they wero untrue. The hearing was further adjourned.