Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-13
ABRUPT TERMINATION
Watson Trial Brought toSud-
den Halt.
JURORS INDISCRETION
COURT COMMITS ARTHUR M. Or
RIsoN FOR CONTEMPT.
Sentenced to Term Of Two Months in
Jail-An Unusual
Scene.

cused of embezzling about $4,000 from
funds in the keeping of the auditor OF the
District of Columbia, took a decidedly SEN
sational turn and the trial reached an
abrupt end. for the time being. soon after
Criminal Court No. convened this morn
ing. The jury, impaneled yesterday, was
discharged from further consideration OF
the case, and one of the jurors was ad-
judged to be guilty of contempt Of court
and was committed to jail. 1t is believed
the trial will not be begun anew prior to
the middle of May.
The offending juror was Arthur l.. Orri-
son. All the trouble resulted from desire
on his part to be informed by the court
whether Watson WAS to be tried on the
indictment reported against him, ''or on
public opinion" After consultation with
counsel, which was in progress nearly one
hour, Justice Pritchard discharged the jury,
as stated ordered that Mr.. Orrison be
taken into custody, and that he be clteo
to show cause at 80 o'clock this afternoon
why he should not be adjudged to be guilty
of contempt of court.
Sentence Imposed.
The sentence imposed on Mr.. Orrison was
Imprisonment in the District Jail for two
months. At the hearing this afternoon
o'clock, Mr. Orrison was represented by
Attorney John r. Shields. The latter asked
for continuance until tomorrow morning
in order that the attendance of two physl-
clans familiar with MIR. Orrison's condition
might be secured.
According to Attorney Shields Mr.. Orri-
son Is suffering with extreme nervousness,
caused by excessive indulgence in intoxi-
eating liquor some time ago. 1t was assert
ed that Mr. Orrison did not drink any
liquor yesterday nor today. When he
awoke this morning, being very nervous,
he took some ammonia, and later two
doses of drug that had been prescribed
by physician for the purpose of quieting
his nerves.
The court was informed by Attorney
Shields that the latter has known Mr.. Or
rison for about twenty years. The onend-
ing Juror, it was added, IL q most exem-
lsai yss,ing man, his only drawback being
that he cannot resist appetite for drink.
In the year 1888, counsel said, Mr.. Drrison
inherited small fortune and while pur-
suing the study of medicine at prominent
university contracted the drink habit,
against which he has been fighting bravely
Shields insisted that his client was not
mentally responsible for his conduct in
the jury box this morning
Jurors Testify.
-Four other members of. the jury, Messrs.
Haller and L. Daniel were called as wit
nesses They testified that Orrison had
acted queerly Mr.. Haller said that at
noon yesterday Orrison seemed like man
who was doped, not from liquor, but from
a drug"
After hearing from Assistant United
States Attorneys Taggart and Turner,
Judge Pritchard remarked that while he
sympathized with Orrison, as he does with
everybody who is in trouble, the juror
conduct had been repreEensible. The court
thereupon imposed the sentence stated
presented to him hereafter tending to
warrant such action he would mitigate the
sentence.
court room was crowded to an unusual
degree.
Mr.. Orrison Addresses Court.
Clerk Smith had just finished calling the
roll of Jurors when Mr. Orrison arose, and,
addressing Justice Pritchard, inquired:
Have / a right to ask question for in
struction2'
mo, SIR Justice Pritchard replied. II
YOU desire any information you can notify
the court and l will ask the question for
YOU You mean about the case?
''Yes sir" stated Juror Orrlson.
"AH right the court then said. Any
thing you desire to know you can come to
me and will ask it..
Now Juror Orrison wanted to know.
ANY time" the court explained.
'eWell" Juror Orrison then asked, lis this
man to be tried on the indictment or on
public opinion?'
"Well" Justice Prtchard answered, after
a pause. that is a matter that l will talk
to YOU about in the charge. Il thought you
desired to ask a question about what the
witness had stated. Why, the defendant
is to be tried on the bill of Indictment and
tha "a
nothing to do with public opinion one way
or the other; but will tell you that in the
charge You are to try this man on the
law and the evidence. and not according
to what people may say about him.
Conference With Attorneys.
..Iu ask the attorneys to come into the
consultat ton room with me for moment"
Justice Pritchard concluded.
The moment stretched out until almost
an hour had passed. and Justice Pritchard
still remained behind closed doors with As
sistant United States Attorneys Taggart
Turner and Gordon, and Attorneys Worth
ington, Baker and Mcnamara The news
that something out of the ordinary had
happened spread rapidly, and the court
room was soon crowded to the walls.
Everybody wondered what was going to
happen During the wait Mr.. Orrison step
ped down from his seat In the box and,
raising his right hand In the manner of
school boy, inquired of Clerk Smith:
May / go out?
This incident caused laughter, in which
Mr. and Mrs Watson joined.
Finally, Justice Pritchard reappeared and
mounted the bench and counsel filed in
and took their places. The subdued con-
versation that had been carried on in the
court room gave way to intense quiet. As
sistant United States Attorney Taggart
arose and the audience leaned forward to
catch what he WAS going to say
Motion to Discharge Jury.
His remarks were spirited and to the
point. He said:
.'If your honor please. in view of the ex-
traordinary manifestation short time ago
on the part of one Of the Jurors. and of
the fact that the question propounded by
him indicated decided prejudice against
the government in this case, counsel for
the United States have conferred and
reached the conclusion that motion ought
10 be submitted to the court to discharge
the jury from further consideration of the
case The condition of this juror renders
him incompetent to discharge the delicate
duty intrusted to him. and that fact is GER
tainly apparent to the court.
Counsel have considered the issue of