Show Motion Pictures as Evidence IN INn I N a recent murder trial in California the defense attempted at ate tempted to introduce as evidence a n. motion picture showing the crime erime as it occurred according according- to the testimony mony of witnesses The film had been made under the dire direction lion of the defendants defendant's counsel with professional actors playing the principal parts and the contention in court was that it would give all of the jurymen a ae definite e and identical idea ilea of the facts alleged by the d defense The judge however declined to admit the picture as evidence c on the ground that it dealt with matters motters in dispute and might un unduly uly impress the jury as presenting established facts He lie said that juries ies would be le naturally prone to accept the pictures as fig a ab absolutely ab- ab correct and that therefore they were ina mad mad- Notwithstanding the ruling of the judge judge- in this case it is contended by bj law lawyers ers that motion pictures are destined to play an important part in future court proceedings both in criminal and civil chil cases In ca case e for instance the operation of machinery should be ha the subject of dispute and it would be impracticable to show the actual operation in the thc courtroom Motion fotion pictures that would fully fuBy show such operation would be Yer very valuable as evi evidence ence In case of a criminal prosecution tion where the question at nt issue would be he II could could the homicide have so happened a motion pic PlC- PlC ic- ic tare ture ought to bo ho admissible There 1 arc are conr con- con r r r. r v r 11 1 1 i- i J co vu vu UC Ue uy rOSe i I sible evidence How frequently it happens j that juries are arc required to visit the scene scenes of a n. murder or au an nn ac accident nCe ac- to get a n. more comprehensive e idea of the varying van contentions of litigants It is predicted that the time I is is com coming ng when motion pictures taken on the scene y and properly accredited will not only be admitted as evidence evi evi- dence deuce but hailed as a convenience by judge jury and lawyers alike News N ws that flowers are arc to be he barred at the Junior prom will be sad sal intelligence to the diffident individual who depends On this form of expression Federal statistics indicate that the thu stork is still working on the same old schedule of or hours If the income tax continues fo for foi long Ion the tho thelis list of amnesia victims is bound to grow |