JURY DISCHARGED

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 74, 30 April 1930, Page 9

JURY DISCHARGED

Per Press Association.

F0REMAN AND JUROR SPEAK TO WITNESSES. DUE TO MISAPPREHEXSION.

DUNEDIN, This day. Wlien a cliarge of slieepsteaiing against Gilbert William Lewis was resumed in the Supreme Court, Mr Adams, tlie Crown prosecutor, said, "1 have been iniorftietl that last night, wlien tlie court rose, tlie forenian oi tlie jury and oue juryman got into company with two witnesses for the deience and Went with tliem to an liotcl bar, where they were for some time in coiiversation. They were seen tliere by detectives." Counsel applied tb-eitlier have the jury (lischai'getl or for tlie case to eontinue witli tlie teli remaining juryinen. Detective Sneddon gave evidence that he saw the forenian of the jury drinkiiig with the two defence yvitnes.ses. Wnother jurvman was present but he did not hear what was said. -Judge Kennedy said that it was a regrettable incident and it was regrettable for the accused becanse there mnst he a liew trial with tlie unfqrtunately attendant expense and inconvenience to the accused, also to the Crown. He ordered the difjcharge of tlie jury without a verdict and directed a new jury to 'oe empanelled liext Alonday. The Judge added that as the jury-« men had not been heard he woukl take tlie view that their conduct was due to liiisapprehension of their d.uties.