The COURT.
JUDGE. Is Alexandersson an honest and reliable man?
ALL THE JURORS. Alexandersson is a reliable man.
JUDGE. Is Alma Jonsson known as an honest servant?
ERIC OTTO BOMAN. I had to discharge Alma Jonsson last year for
petty thievery.
JUDGE. And nevertheless I have now to fine Alexandersson. There
is no way out of it. Is he poor?
LUDWIG ÖSTMAN. He's behind with his Crown taxes, and his crop
failed last year. So I guess the fine will be more than he can
carry.
JUDGE. And yet I can find no reason to postpone the case, as
it is a clear one, and Alexandersson has no right to prove
anything on his side. Has any one here anything to add or object?
ALEXANDER EKLUND. I would just ask leave to make a general
reflection. A case like this, where one not only innocent, but
offended against, has to take the punishment, while the thief
has his so-called honour restored, may easily bring about that
people grow less forbearing toward their fellow-men, and that
taking cases to court grows more common.
JUDGE. This is quite possible, but general reflections have no
place in the proceedings, and the Court has to make a decision.
Consequently my one question to the jury is: can Alexandersson
be held guilty under Chapter Sixteen, Section Thirteen, of the
Criminal Code?
ALL THE JURORS. Yes.
JUDGE. [_To the_ SHERIFF] Call in the parties and the witnesses.