Page:Palmore v. State.pdf/7

254 Rh  them, and out of sight of the officer in charge, to see a man at his office on business, and in allowing the opportunity for the jury to read a newspaper containing highly improper comments upon the case before them; which article asserted that the prisoner had been proven guilty of murder, by the state's witnesses, and from their respectability and standing this evidence would be hard to overcome.

This comment is such as no prudent press should make pending a trial of this kind, and such as the court should have, perhaps, prevented the repetition of by punishing the publisher for contempt; at least, it was not proper to have come before the jury, as the affidavits strongly tended to show it did.

There is an affidavit tending to show that four of the jury went, by permission of the court and consent of prisoner's counsel and the state's, to attend a theatrical exhibition, while the eight others remained in charge of another officer; but no communication was had by the four with any one. This was a serious irregularity, and was very improper. Neither defendant below nor his counsel should have been asked favors of this kind, for his refusal might have incensed the jury. But the court should not have permitted the jury to be subjected to any influences calculated to lessen the solemn obligation they were under to perform the gravest duty which man on earth can be called on to perform—decide upon the life of his fellow. This, outside of the opportunity and temptation to communicate and hear comments upon the case before the jury, was wrong. The jury having, during this separation, been, each part of it, in charge of a sworn officer, and no communication being proven, we would not disturb the verdict for this alone.

The drinking of intoxicating drinks, although it is shown to be in limited quantities, was very improper, and is more aggravated by the statement of the officer, that he cautioned the