INTOXICATED JUROR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 23

INTOXICATED JUROR.

CRIMINAL CASE HELD UP.

INCIDENT IN COURT OF GENERAL

SESSIONS,

On a recent morning a juror empanelled on a case in the Melbourne. Court of General Sessions faithfully carried out his charge that he would well and truly weigh the evidence before him and his brethren, but in the puncheon adjournment he fell from grace (states the Age). After his absence had lelayed the business of the court for 10 minutes, he arrh’ed in an obviously intoxicated condition. He was fined ££, or seven days, for contempt, and was placed in the cold storage cells of the Criminal Court. . _ The court resumed sitting at 2 p.m., but there was only 11 jurors in the box. Judge Macindoe waited patiently while the stentorian tones of police officers on duty echoed through the court corridors calling the name of the missing man. Ten minutes having gone by, the worshipper at the shrine of Bacchus was heard at the main door of the court seeking to 'e directed to the box in which his brother jurors were assembled. A stalwart policeman and the sergeant in charge rescued him after he had made several gyrations, and between them he was helped into the court, and stared gravely at all concerned. “Have you been drinking?” asked Judge Macindoe. “ I jus’ had one or two,” replied the delinquent thickly. “Have you anything to say why you should not be dealt with for contempt of court?” asked his Honor. “ Guilty- your Honor,” replied the juror, good naturedly. “Well, you are fined £5, or seven days for contempt,” said Judge Macindoe. Then he was taken to the cells below the Criminal Courtj and was given to understand that if the fine were not promptly paid he would have to spend the night in gaol. Power is given to a judge to allow a trial to proceed with 11 jurors if during its progress a juryman is taken ill oi becomes incapacitated through some cause. After the offender was removed the case was gone on with 11 jurors. When the court adjourned the fine had not been paid, and the juror was, removed in the prison van to Pentridge.