Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1903 — Raising a False Issue. [ARTICLE]

Raising a False Issue.

A story well known to lawyers of tbe last generation la about the “umbrella case.” A man was charged with stealing an umbrella, and a number of witnesses went Into the box to testify to the offense. The counsel for the defendant noted that each witness carried an umbrella (the time of year was [ midsummer, which explains the necessity for these Impedimenta). As a matter of fact the prisoner had no defense to make. The barrister, thrown on his wits, exclaimed: "Gentlemen of the Jury, did you not notice that each of the witnesses carried an umbrella into the box? Why is this, gentlemen? It is done in order to infect your minds with the idea of an umbrella, to prejudice the prisoner in your eyes, to raise ‘a false issue,’ and I appeal to you to signify your detestation of this concerted action by bringing in a verdict of not guilty.” The judge, who imagined that little attention would be paid to such a plea, took little time and less pains to sum up the case. The Jury nevertheless brought in a verdict in accordance with the resourceful barrister’s wishes.—London News.