WARDER ASSAULTED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 130, 1 March 1928, Page 15

WARDER ASSAULTED

PRISONER FOUND GUILTY FURTHER TERM IMPOSED B£ Telegraph.—press association. Hamilton, February 29. A spirited defence was put up in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Blair by a prisoner named Edward William Slattery Corless, who was charged that, with intent to break prison, he attempted to render Warder John Kennedy incapable ol resistance at Hautu piison camp, near Tokaanu, and that he assaulted Kennedy, causing him actual bodily harm, and with a third charge of common assault. Prisoner, who conducted his own case, complained that the conditions at the camp were by no means what they should be, and made allegations of illtreatment against prisoners under punishment for small offences. Corless was found guilty on the charge of common assault. The jury added that there was great provocation, and made a strong recommendation for mercy. A sentence of six months’ imprisonment was passed, additional to prisoner’s present sentence. The jury added the following rider to their verdict:—“lt is considered that the evidence shows that the medical treatment of prisoners at Hautu camp calls for an urgent inquiry.” _ The Judge promised to forward the jury s recommendation to the proper quarter. Mr. Justice Blair made it clear that he did not approve, as might have been constructed from a report of the rider added by the jury. The jury had mistaken a bold assertion for sworn evidence. The prisoner had made a series of allegations which were assertions by a person whose word, when his criminal record was considered, became absolutely worthless. Mr. H. T. Gillies, Crown Solicitor, remarked that juries generally seemed unable to differentiate between statements made from the witness box and from the dock. In the first case the statement was made on oath and subject to cross-examination, whereas a statement from the dock was a mere assertion.