BAD TREATMENT

Evening Star, Issue 19803, 29 February 1928, Page 6

BAD TREATMENT

PRISONER'S SPIRITED DEFENCE

JURY'S RIDER OH MEDICAL TREATMENT

(I’r.R Umitkd Press Association.]

HAMILTON, February 29

A spirited defence was put up in Ihe Supreme Court before Mr Justice Blair by a prisoner, Edward William Slattery Corloss, who was charged that, with intent to break prison, ho attempted to render a warder, John Kennedy, incapable of resistance at Hautu prison camp, near L'kaanu; that he assaulted Kennedy, causing him actual bodily harm; and a third charge of common assault.

Prisoner complained that conditions at the camp wore by no means what they should be, and made allegations of ill-treatment against prisoners under punishment for small offences. Corlcss was found guilty on the charge of common assault, and the jury added that there was great provocation, and made a strong recommendation for mercy.

A sentence of six months’ imprisounjent was passed, additional to the prisoner’s present sentence. The jury added the following rider to the verdict:—lt is considered that the evidence shows that the medical treatment of prisoners at Hautu Camp calls for urgent inquiry. The judge promised to forward the jury’s recommendation to the proper quarter. Mr Justice Blair made it clear that lie did not approve, as might have been construed from tbe report, of the rider added by the jury when giving its verdict in the case. There was no evidence to justify the passing of the rider. The jury had mistaken a bold assertion for sworn evidence. Prisoner made a scries of allegations which were mere assertions by a person whoso word, when his criminal record was considered, became ahsolutelv worthless. Mr 11. T. G lilies, Grown solicitor, remarked that juries generally seemed unable to differentiate between statements made from the witness box and from the dock. In the first case a statement was made on oath and subject to cross examination, whereas a statement from the dock was mere assertion, $