The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-04-22
DAVIS HITS
HUMPHREYS
UnseemIy Quarrel in
and About
Court.

/
between Judge De Bolts courtroom
and his office yesterday morning be-
fore the jury session of the court open
ed. Davis took Humphreys by surprise.
knocked him PROSTATE with a blow and
| then punched him twice when down.
AS both men are not only attorneys
but former Circuit Court judges, the
| episode naturally caused a sensation in
the courthouse which was quickly shar-
| ed by the town
There was a preliminary scene in
open court, comprising challenge to
fight by Davis, an acceptance by
Humphreys. a start by the belligerents
for outside, a return on better thought
and contempt proceedings, the last be-
ing tided over with apologies.
At the early session which Judge De
Bolt holds at o'clock for motions, etc,
Davis filed motion for a new trial in
the case of All On, the former police
executive officer. Humphreys gave no
tice of a similar motion on behalf of
All On. Then there was dispute as
to which of the two attorneys was
counsel for All On.
Judge De Bolt admitted that Davis
had properly and ably conducted All
On's defense when he was acquitted
under the first Indictment, but said his
conduct while defending All On under
the second Indictment when the man
was convicted, was far from due pro-
lection of the defendants interests.
Then it was left to All On, who
promptly disowned Davis. At this
Davis withdrew from the case but inn
mediately started for Humphreys and
shook his fist at him, eXclaiming, Let
US settle it right here
yes. let US go outside and settle it,
Humphreys responded.
Davis bolted for the public doorway,
rolling up his sleeves.
Humphreys strobe at his challenger's
heels, also rolling up his sleeves.
At the door Davis made one of his
lightning right about turns ejaculat-
ing:
Hold on. this is contempt of court" !
Judge De Bolt thought so too, but |
the apologies both attorneys |
rendered, though mingled with mutual |
bandying of blame in schoolboy fashion. |
The court said it was less surprised at !
Davis than at Humphreys, yet favor |
ably compared the frankness of !
with the reluctance of Da- !
Wis in finally offering amends.
Humphreys was granted a continu-
ance of All On's case on his plea that |
the scene just passed through had got
upon his nerves
Judge De Bolt declared a recess and
retired to his office. where he was
shortly afterward followed by Hum
)hreys. who wished to assure him of
he sincerity of his regret at having !
been a party to the breach of dscorum.
Davis tracked his opponent into the
Judges chamber. where another row at
,nce began, but Judge De Bolt in
ormed the gentlemen of the bar that
lie could not tolerate any uproar in
hat apartment
Humphreys left the room closely fol-
owed by Davis and, just as the door
licked behind the latter. Judge De Bolt
heard Davis utter the hail, 'Oh,
Judge" in quite wild tones. Then he
heard the noise of a disturbance.
Clerk Kellett saw what occurred from
lis desk, looking through the judges
private entrance to the courtroom.
AS Humphreys turned in response to
he hail, Davis caught him under the
aw with his fist, knocking him down.
As he delivered the blow Davis shout
I'd, 1T is you that has insulted me-"
Davis stopped over and struck his
brother attorney twice in the
ace Bailiff Hopkins ran out and
grabbed Davis. whom he dragged to-
ward the outer corridor. Davis strug- ,
sled to get free and Clerk Kellett went
o the assistance of Hopkins. Mean
ime Attorney General Andrews and
'thers had assisted Humphreys to his
eet, after which the Attorney General
old the court officer to let Davis go.
Hopkins then pushed Davis out into
he transverse corridor. telling him to
20 away and behave himself.
Judge Humphreys was interviewed by
IN Advertiser reporter on Thursday re-
,ardng II Iun,or that he intended
ringing disbarment proceedings
Sainst Davis for his conduct in the
econd All On case. He stated that he
lad not the remotest intention of Go
=
lad spoken TO Deputy Attorney-Gen-
raj Peters and to Judge De Bolt with
view to obtaining a new trial for
Ah On without the necessity of filing !
n affidavit regarding the conduct of ,
lis counsel. In l is opinion the indis-
retion of Davis was not a cause for
LOOKING BACKWARD
The attack on Humphreys yesterday
ecalls a similar incident in the CORR
ors of the courts in 1899 when Hum ;
hreys attacked Frank DaVey, the pho
ographer. The cases are just revers- S
d. Davey was a witness in a case
gainst a client of Mr.. Humphreys. Y
mo was charged with counterfeiting y
hawaiian paper money. Davey was on u
he stand as an expert witness con- I
ernins chemicals. etc. which would be V
sed in counterfeiting by the photo
raphic process. Davey testified in
hammer which did not suit Humphreys. O