A JURY OF MATRONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2691, 12 September 1872, Page 2

A JURY OF MATRONS.

The Globe give 3 the following particulars of the recent trial of a woman for a capital ofl'cnce, who desired after seiileuce of death lo be examined by a jury of matrons :—ln the mercy and justice of the English law, a woman condemned to death, who is enciente, is respited until after the birth of her child. It is usual, therefore, to interrogate the convict upon the point at the time of the sentence and before the date is filed for execution. The question was put by the Clerk of Arraigns in tlie usual way. The prisoner again whispered to the female warder, who again whispered to the eaoler, who said aloud, " She says she is. my lord." There was a profouud sensation among the bystanders at the unexpected announcement, which was not diminished when the words "Let the sheriff empanel a.fury of matrons forthwith," were heard. Such is taelaw from aucient times, and in obedience to the injunction the under-sheriffs, with swords, cocked hats, and frills, sailied into the body of the court and galleries in quest of matrons. After about twenty iniuules, a dozen well-to-do and respectably-dressed women—who could have supposed that a dozen such were (o be found in such a place ? —were captured, and directed to enter the jury box, into which they marched and to«k their seats as if it were a matter of every-day occurrence. Mrs. Adelaide Whittaw, the forewoman, was sworn separately, and then tho rest in a body. It was arranged that they should see the prisoner in the sheriff'* parlour. They retired, and tne P o ' soner was removed. Half an hour elapsed, when a messenger came into court, and an enquiry was made aloud by the whether there was an ucooucher in court. Presently a doctor was found, and directed to join the matrons. Half an hour more of dispense and eager interest. A measeuger again comes iu «nd whispers, and the rumour goes about that the doctor requires a stuthescope. There i? a touch of comedy even intlio midst of th:? tragic scene, for they say that a policemen had been seat to fetch one, but has brought back a telescope instead. More delay, more suspense. Here they are at last. The prisoner again at the bar, the matrons uguiu in the box. lhe verdict ia spoken by the forewoman iu a jingle wc-Wi " JSot." The humanity of the rule of W w which leaTes this delicate matter to the decision to twelve women accidently preaen during a murder trial—and a jury of matron" must be empanelled de eircuaistantibus- lB > notwithstanding the undoubted antiquity o the custom, very questionable, and the resu on more than once proved to be very fid' lo e > in several cases a jury have been known to return an erroueous verdict. Assises of 1832 a woman was capitally convicted and raised this plea in bar o execution. A jury of matrons empanel'* to try the questiou negatived the plea, and I woman would have been hanged fortwitu not some medicul men interfered to obtain res-jite. The woman gave birth to a cm four months afterwards. Again at the Ceutr Crimiual Court, iu September, 183/, a wo"*" named Hunt, who was convicted of lUV .? ' availed herself of the same plea, and matrons declared it to be groundless, fHome Secretary directed that B.he suould examined by competent medical men, « ascertained that the verdict of the was wrou», an opinion which was jußliueu the birth of u chil.l on the 23>h December tallowing. After aacii instances it woul i seem 11 the empaueliiient of a jury »f uiuCronsJi»» uomo something tike an anachronism >' 1S ycandul. As such it will soon cease to " e institution of our criminal system ol V r °.c c dure; and supplemented by » proper inveotigati »n bv competent medical men, ' like trial by battle, or conviction for . w ; I craft, be o .nsigucd to the limbo of historiccuriosities.