TRIAL BY JURY.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12765, 5 February 1910, Page 1

TRIAL BY JURY.

i REMARKS BY AN ENGLISH I JUDGE. : Tho other day at the London Central Criminal Court Mr. Justice Grantham made an explanation that lias attracted some attention at Home. i The usher had sworn in the jury, ' and during the performance of that duty stated that "the prisoners now ! stand upon their deliverance," where- | upon the judge, addressing the jury; | said he did not suppose that tho jury i had noticed those words, or grasped j tho moaning of them. They ihad undoubtedly been reading .a groat deal lately of a celebrated trial in France — he did not wish to mention names. That was a SMpimen of French jurisprudence under the French criminal laws, of which, apparently, the object was to convict the prisoners, who were cross-examin-ed by the judge, practically out of rbheir own mouths. If they (the jury) noticed the declaration which (had just been given,, the prisoners here "stand on their deliverance" before them. It was the principle of our system of law. "You will notice how absolutely different it is. I love it," continued the judge, "because it shows the principle of our English law. The prisoner is not there to be convicted by you but is there on his deliverance by you if you can see your way to do it. And that is the principle tho judges have in trying these cases, and, unless everything is quite clear, to deliver them. Tho principle is so different, you see." • The jury thanked his lordship for his interesting explanation.