CONVICT’S CIGARETTE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11435, 3 February 1923, Page 11

CONVICT’S CIGARETTE

A BRIDE FOR EVIDENCE. Called from his prison cell to> give evidence, a man astonished the Berlin Criminal Court by saying; “Your Honour, it is impossible for mo to uiter a word unless I receive a cigarette. i’vo found a fag-end, but if you don’t allow me to smoke it first I can’t give any information/’ Recovering from the immediate effect of this impudent demand, the judge, in true German style, decided to get scientific advice* on the point. Accordingly he adjourned the court whilst a doctor examined the witness. Later, this expert informed the judge that the man really was an abject slave to “My Lady Nicotone.” ll© was in a nervous state, which smoking a cigarette might alleviate Again summoning the witness, the judge said:—-“The doctor has prescribed for you a cigarette, so go to your cell and smoke it Then, perhaps, you will be able to give evidence. In five minutes the man returned to court, entered the box, and appeared to be chewing something. Askeor what he had got in his mouth, the man replied, laugring, “Fag-end. Your Honour —I’m enjoying it as a chew." After this, .notwithstanding the little obstacle in his mouth, the witness told with clear enunciation all tlie court wanted to know about the case in hand.