The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-08 00:00:00

A SCENE IN COURT.

A NEW VIEW OF A JURY.
At Antrim Quarter Sessions, on the 4th inst.,
before IL Otway, Esy., Q.C., chairman of the county,
William Hushes was indicted for having, on the 27th Nov,
last, at RandAlstown, assaulted Patrick Delaney, a sheriff's
officer, and rescued from his possession a number of
' articles.
The case having been beard, the jury retired. After
about 20 minutes' consultation they returned into court,
and the foreman banded to the clerk the issue paper con-
taining the verdict.
Clerk of the Court—Gentlemen, yen say that William
Hughes is not guilty of rescuing goods, and not guilty of
common assault!
Foreman—Yes.
His Worship (with surprise)-IVhat's that you any ?
Foreman—There wine discrepancies in the evidence

which—
His Worship—Tut, tut, immense! You may retire.
Stop (opening a large law book) ! I don't know how to deal
with that verdict. It is a perverse verdict.
[The jury were then moving as if to leave the box.]
Ilis Worship (with much eniphasie)—Don't go away,
gentlemen. (To the foremen)—What new matter came
Wore your consideration after you retired, that made you
return that verdict! Did you consider all the evidence?
Foreman- Yes, we did.
His Worship—Well?
Foreman—When we looked at the evidence given before
the magistrates, and the evidence submitted yesterday by
the wan Delany, we found that discrepancies existed.
His Worship—Did you consider Cassidy's evidence ?
Foreman—Yes, we did.
Hie Worship—l have power, when I find a jury have,
through mistaking the evidence or partiality, returned •
verdict repugnant to justice, to order the jury to retire
again and reconsider the verdict, and to amend it. That
is my constitutional privilege and power. I do not know
whether I shall exercise shat power or not. It is car-
thinly • very great stretch of authority in the court
There is no question at all of my right—no queatiou of my
power. At the coos time I think I will not exercise my
power in this case. I • ill allow you to , gentlemen.
will allow the verdict you have to be recorded,
bt Iy
life tell you I never received • verdict from • jury
inn
sa with which I was so thoroughly dissatisfied.
(To the isocused)—Stend up, sir I The jury—l can hardly
cell them so—the twelve men who wet, sworn to try your
ease Dana cquittedion. I do not believe a more guilty man
ever stood in the dock than you. However, I will take
the vat
ic verdict which may have done more to
hinder the administration of justice in this court, and
limit the value of its jurisdiction than any verdict that
was ever given. I have told you I will take the verdict,
believing you. notwithstunling that the jury have se-
quitted you, as guilty a
man ea ever Ord in that both,
and also fearing that the remit of this ore may be more
prejwisial to the very arm who have thought fit to arab
yen. You ere discharged. I believe the verdict ta be
rb!, perverse, end repugnant to Jung**. go__ the
ny)—Cie sway, gentierea, you cortsinly nem Anti be
es • jury spin, if I ems help it.
The jury then bit the apperently orerfallest by
the her at Ida wanides rearrke.
Wanisip mid he would camissalaits with the At-
torserfimanal regardag the manner la whisk lb. Reda-
soak, the clerk of fir patty raasioaa. had perfamad We
&V.—Dwight Smithy Mad.