CONTEMPT OF COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1582, 17 May 1887, Page 4

CONTEMPT OF COURT.

An extraordinary incident has occurred at the Rouen Court of Appeal. Three men ffho had been sentenced at Havre to various terms of imprisonment, appealed to Ihe Rouen Codrt, ; They were brought in together, arid first prisoner being asked the question, " Have you ap» pealed ?" he repl ed," Yes, I do so to see if the Rouen judges are as great rascfls as tho*e of Havre." This piece of impudence produced a great sensation, and the manj.was forthwith condemned to one year's imprisonment for insulting the magistrates.., What was the general surprise when .the prisoner, on being asked th« same) question, returned an identical reply. \ This ~tim,e, .the. judges dealt out a double,,penalty,, andche; was sent off with twq years' imprisonment to his book.' No ope dreamt that the third man would dare *o face the Court in this insolent fashion hfter the punishment lo which his two I companions had been trealod, and a thrill of amazement ran through the riiidijence when, in answer to the forms! query " Have you appealed ?" j he returned the li'ame reply, " Yes, I did ' so to Bee if the tf ouen judges are as great rascals as those of Havre." The Court sentenced this fas>n to three years' imprisonment. Such an incident must be almost without a preoadent in the aunals of justice. . i JM