INFLUENCING JURIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 March 1923, Page 3

INFLUENCING JURIES

PROFESSOR’S OPINION

TWELVE MEN TOO MANY

The interesting theory that it was possible for a. skilled advocate to influence 12 jurymen more easily than eight has just been propounded, by Professor Coleman Phillipson in giving evidence before the Law Reform Commission in Adelaide. He said that, twelvo came lo be almost a crowd, and a crowd s psychology was a very curious thing. Tin re was no special sanctity in maintaining the mi inter at 12. It would help the working of the system if the number was reduced to 10, nine rr even eight, hut ho thought it might be dangerous to go below 8. They wanted the jury to represent the spirit of community and also that spirit of personal responsibility. Personally be did not believe in unanimous verdicts in cases of capital offences and certain very serious felonies. He would keep up the unanimous verdict for the time being, but it would be altered later on if that wero found desirable. Regarding other offences ho would say that a three-quarter majority would be sufficient, in a jury of eight a verdict of six would suffice. Witness, dealing with the question of challenging jurors, said it should be either abolished or reduced. Tampering with juries might he made a more serious offence,‘and the punishment should bo increased.