The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-12-30

An investigation Of the suspected
treachery of one of it's own members
by the Territorial grand jury ye-ter-
day struck a snag. and Leon Renaut.
the man who planted the obstacle in
the current of justice. spent last night
in Oahu Jail as consequence.
Though the name of the grand jury
nan under "a cloud is to the outside
world unknown, the court document in
the case puts his offense in the cate
gerry of a criminal leak of grand jury
secrets. The lawyer talk in court, in
deed, gave the affair the ugly name of
Conspiracy with outsiders"
A clause of the grand jury's petition
to have Leon Renaut cited for con-
tempt of court in refusing, as a wit
ne ss before the grand jury, to answer
questions reads as follows:
THAT said proceeding aforesaid was
the investigation by this grand jury
os violation, by member of said
grand jury. of the secrecy of the pro-
ceedings held by said grand jury, to
wit, the proceedings held by said grand
jury in the matter of the case
Of the Territory of Hawaii versus
Jchr Doe Leon, whose true name is
Leon Renaut, the witness above
named"
Among the specifications of Renaut's
alleged contempt 1t is said that Deputy
Attorney General Peters, in the grand
jury room. cautioned him that he was
not called for the purpose of testifying
in any regard whatsoever relative to
the facts circumstances. time or place
OF the offense alleged against Renaut
hin self in an indictment some time
Pre- viously filed. Further 1t is stated,
in the usual amplitude of legal phrase
ology that Renaut was asked ques-
ton which did not touch upon his own
case, and that he refused to answer
it on the ground that he would in
cr;minate himself. After repeated re-
quests to answer he refused and the
question was still unanswered.
Seventeen grand Jurors, presumably
all then serving on the panel, signed
the information, namely:
Joshua d. Tucker, foreman, ]. A. Lyle,
II. r. Biven, ]. ]. Egan, A S. Robert
son, F. Turrill H. Cook, A A. Dunn.
F.. L. Dortch. John Coffin, d. H. Davis,
II. X. Macfarlane Jr., A. Trask E. o.
X East Kahulualii, John Andrews, r.
II. Worrall, VIM. Dunbar.
Accompanied by E. c. Peters, Depu-
ty Attorney General, the grand jurors
surprised Judge Robinson in the
morning while he was hearing the
d,edging mandamus case, by march
ing into court. Mr.. Peters presented
their report on the matter. John w.
Cathcart, acting as Government coun-
sci in the mandamus case, happened
to be Renauts counsel when he was
arraigned on Indictment therefore now
stood for him in the contempt proceed
ings. After some talk the citation was
issued and made returnable at A p. m.
the same day. Renaut had been
brought into court, in the first
instance, under custody of an officer.
THE HEARING.
| Mr.. Cathcart, when Mr.. Peters had
read the information at the appoint
ell hour-the grand jurors being pres
en-; in a body and Renaut under arres
there also-said he had not had time
to prepare an answer II was a Sc
ricus matter for the respondent while
according to the petition, it was only
a minor matter-some kind of leal
in the grand jury-wherein the wit
ress had refused to answer.
Judge Robinson, in the course of re-
marks, reminded counsel that contempt
proceedings We're always summary. He
denied the motion for continuance ant
Mr.. Cathcart noted exceptions.