CHILD INFLUENCES JURY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10902, 20 October 1911, Page 1

CHILD INFLUENCES JURY.

(IV.u J'kkss Association.) Wellington. October 1?Tlif* Appeal Court to-day had boioro it a case rather out of the usual lines in the shape nt Rex v. Roakes. The latter was tried for perjury in an affiliation case at Auckland. During the trial the complainant sat for tile greater part of the hearing facing the jury with the child on her lap. It was fairhaired like the accused, and the hair was said to be brushed as nearly as possible in the same way as that of Bcakes. When t!u- Crown Prosecutor ivronvd to the child. .Tudire Cliapman stopped him. In the ca.jp stated the Judire .says he is unable to say that the jury were not influenced by the exhibition of the child. The Appeal Court is now asJtccl tn say whether these facts influenced the verdict, and if so whether the conviction should be quashed or whether '.here should be,a new trial. Mr D. Smith appeared for the prisoner, and the Solicitor-General and Mr Ostler for the Crown.

After hearing lentrthy argument in the case of Rex v. Unakes the Court of Appeal reserved its decision.