CATTLE STEALING CHARGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 7

CATTLE STEALING CHARGE.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. "AN INQUIRY MUST BE MADE." (By TelozrapU.—Fresa Association.) Auckland, 22. A cattle stealing charge against William Alfred Aklred, which has occupied the Suprcnie Court tor the past two ila.vs, was brought to a conclusion late yesterday afternoon. W'lujii f lio case was resumed, the Crown Prosecutor (the lion. J. A. Tolo), who was conducting the case for the police, questioned the witness Thomas Luke ns to his condition when the statement which contradicted his evidence in tho lower Court was obtained from him. "[ was under tho influence of liquor," replied Luke. "Were you drunk?" ."There were some occasions 011 that night when 1 did nut know what I was faying,'' was the answer. When Luke was being re-examined by Mr. Cotter (ccnincil for the defence), the following question was put to hint:— "Is it true that Majury (a witness foi the Crown) has asked you to alter the statement you inade when giving evidence in the lower Court?" "Yes, that is true, and ho is not the only one who has been at me." Mr. Cotter: "Who elso was at von?" Witness: "Buckley." (Buckley was another witness for the Crown.) Mr. Colter: "Did they threaten you?'' Witness: "Yes, they said I would get myself into gaol if I did not make a new statement." At the conclusion of Luke's two-hour .stay in the witness-box, Mr. Toie rose and said that owing to the circumstances that had arisen during the hearing of the case he thought it would be wiser for him il lie suggested that his Honour should give his decision aj to whether the case was worth consideration by the jury. Considering what had happened, the Crown could not expect anything but Aldred's acquittal. His Honour: "You have Adopted- a wise course, Mr. Tole, and you have shown a great deal of discretion." Turning to the. jury, the Judge said that lie expected that tho jury had already made up their minds what verdict to give. The case for the Crown was of such a weak nature that 110 other course was open to tliein. They had followed the lengthy hearing very carefully, and he expected" that they would give their decision at once. After a. momentary glance at his fellow jurors, the foreman announced that they had found Aklred not guilty. His Honour: "I could expect no other decision. There is one feature of the case, however, which must be' further inquired into. I refer to the statement made by the witness Lulce in the hotel. 1 must order that statement to be impoundod'and full inquiry made into the circumstances. I do not wish to infer that the police have been 'getting at' (lie witness for the defence, for in mv opinion Sergeant Wohlman is not to blame, but rather two men whose names need not he mentioned again. However, an inquiry must be made. The prisoner is acquitted."