A Case of Juror Misconduct at the Waterfront
A legal battle over wharf rent turns chaotic as jurors are accused of conducting their own unauthorized inspection of the premises.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The defendants in the case of David Hunt and others against H. W. Baker & Co., regarding rent for buildings and a wharf, filed a motion for a new trial yesterday, citing juror misconduct. Two jurors, Ed Richmond and A. A. Allen, allegedly visited the dock and warehouses during the trial, despite being forbidden to do so by Judge Humes. Witnesses testified that they saw the men examining the property and demanding keys from employees under the false pretense that they had been authorized by the court. The defense claims the jurors' private tour prejudiced their view of the case, as they were overheard making commentary on the condition of the buildings during their unpermitted visit.
“Why, it is almost 1 o'clock: well, I am glad I came down.”
This trial highlights the fierce disputes over waterfront and industrial land usage that defined early Seattle's economy. The struggle to reconcile private leasehold interests with public or court-mandated oversight remains a central feature of Seattle's legal and development landscape.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.