Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-03-25
FINED FOR CONTEMPT
Justice MarsetlS Assesses Attorney ].
H. Murphy $25.
FOR BREACH OF COURT ETIQUETTE
The Money IL Paid and the Matter
Probably Ended.

Attorney John II. Murphy was
fined s25 by Justice OF the Peace
Frank II. Mnrgetts, this morning. for
contempt of court. A chack was given
Tor the amount and 40 far as known
the matter Ia now ended.
The causes leading up to the filming
of The attorney are ns follows:
Some lew weeks ago ]. r. Smith
brought an action in Justice Margetts'
court against Robert Bridge to ra-
cover possession OF water spaniel and
SIS damages. Attorney Murphy was
In the case as the legal representative
Of the defendant. The testimony
ahowed that as regards the ownership
Of the dog that 1t was clearly a case OF
mistaken identity on the part OF the
defendant.
There was also considerable fun
brought out at the hearing. The plain.
tiff testified that he would be out with
the dog, when all of sudden the
canine would disappear, and in few
day's would be found to be In the pos
The defe ndant teRti tied to the same
state of facts with respect to tho actions
o. the plaintiff. Twelve petsons testified
hst tneirignt f0f ownership belonged
TO the plaintiff. Thirteen people swOre
that 1t didn't. The court summed the
evidence up and decided that the
spaniel was the property of the plain
tiff, at the same time. taxing the costs,
amounting to about S25 to the defen-
dsnt
Attorney Murphy gave notice OF
appeal. 1hie morning was devoted to
the hearing OF arguments ON the
motion. Tho ground upon which de.
iendRnt based his motion was iDsufiic-
iency VI evidence. The court saiu 1t
had already decided that point and
den ed the request.
me next case was then called.
Attorney Ii. g. Edwards was begin
ming 10 make a motion for q continuance
| OF case, when The courtt interrupted
| by requesting him to walt until Alter
uty Gunter (who had left the court
room) relurned. 1t .wus then that
| Attorney Murphy arose and asked II
he could not "see" the judge for O
| mi mute.
The couitexcused itself, Howl ing the
attorney into back r00m, when tho
door cloeed.
The NEWS was only able to CLEAN u
part OF what Afterwards tfanspired.
Attorney Murphy gave 1t out that he
wanted change OF venue on the case
| lust decided, at the same time inform.
ing his honor that he mad no conf
dence In him whatever. The court,
believing that Its honor and Integrity
was being questioned, Numbered Gus
In tones that could be plainly heard In
| the court room:
~ DOME allow any man to cflticise
my decision In any matter, In such
| manner and at such time as
the present." said the judge. "Tho
| court 10 still In session." Say.
ing which his honor waike1 to.
wards the door, but was prevented
from opening 1t by Attorney, Murphy
who by this time had worked hineelf
| up into a perfect irenzy-putting his
loot against 1t aud holding the knob.
The curt commanded that tue wsylbe
| cleared which was done.
Justice Margetts resumed his aecus-i
TONED seat, while Attorney Murphy,
after pacing up Jana down the court
room for few seconds,got his hat and
coat and started for the door.
"You had better be seated for
wnile," said the court. The attorney
hesitated.
81 request that you take q seat"
comma dtd the courl,at the same time
| pointing 10 chair. Attorney Muir
phy obeyed. In a lew minutes Justice
Margetts called Murphy ana Informed
hIm that he had been guilty Of con.
| tempt and asked him what he had 10
say regarding it.
Attorney Murphy proceeded to
| explain that he did not know the
court was in session. Tho court how
| ever, took different view of It and
imposed fine oil S25, which was later
paid.