ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 274, 13 August 1921, Page 10

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD

WHARF TIME-KEEPER ACQUITTED JUDGE ASKS JURY FOR REASONS i Andrew Gibson Taylor, a wharf timekeeper, charged with conspiracy to defraud the Union Steam Ship Company of £154 18s. 10d., was yesterday, after a three days’ trial, acquitted by a jury of twelve in the Supreme Court. Mr. Justice Reed was on the Bench. Mr. , P. S. K- Macassey appeared for the Crown, and Mr. 11. F. O’Leary for the prisoner. In summing up, His Honour said that ths case was important to the accused and to tho country. “The Crown allege* that a conspiracy has taken place,” he said. “It cannot bo imagined that the case, if proved, was isolated to the period of months stated in tho Crown’s charges. ... It is necessary that you taka an impartial point of view. Before you find the prisoner guilty, you must find that there is no doubt as to his guilt. But it is your duty to your, community and to your oaths, not to set up a fanciful doubt. If the evidence is satisfactory, you can conscientiously find tho man guilty, but you must not allow sympathy for tho prisoner to prevent you doing your duty.” His Honour made one other observation before devoting himself to consideration of the facts. "I must refer to tho evidence as to accused’s character,” he said. “The evidence, frankly given by the police, is that the accused was a man of good character. It must be remarked that the police throughout the case have shown extreme and entire fairness to 1 the accused. At one time, in the course of my long practice at the criminal Bar, wo always used to consider it something to get from a constable about an . accused 'I don’t know anything against him ’’ To-day we find much greater fairness The accused, then, is of good character-he is entitled to consideration on that point. In no case where the allegations involve broach of trust will yon S find the accused bearing a bad character. If sue > A m«n W a bad character he would be unable to the system of wharf records, and to the operations of the paring association. There was a Strong probability, he said, that others hnd been involved in the alleged fraud. The Buy retired at 11.15 a.m and refive minutes to M with a v r ttet bf not guilty, and the prisoner was di £. Br £tiee Recd (to the °f +3,1 inrri- Would YOU <bject to telling meion what grounds yon arrived nt your Well, Your Honour lack of system in paying out .- - - Y systrui- a t when you a special jnry. —