A STRANGE VERDICT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1462, 24 May 1905, Page 3

A STRANGE VERDICT.

UJJD.GE ALLEGES MISCARRIAGE . OR .JUSTICE*

,(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, lass night. At the Supremo Court, William Henry Cobiey pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing; the sum of |£s Ids tld_ from a dwelling at WaijnatSKd on March 14th last.. The evidence showed .that the accused an,d Williamson shared - the same whare op tic night pf_tho alleged robbery* Williamson woke up and heard the prisoner moving about and’in the morning he missed ids purse, containing the sum named* Constables Rowe and O’Grady deposed to. questioning prisoner the next day.* .The latter admitted having given money and a purse to a man known as ’Conn, jAsiketi why, [the prisoner replied that he heard ithe police were after him and he iwas afraid. Conn was to gi,vo ■him half the money when he ‘returned from town. The defence was that the man was of v. peeulian v. mind, this accounting for his statement about giving the money to Conn. Prisoner in his evidence stated that he made this and a number of rash statements in the confusion .of nervr ous excitement. Pie would not have thought of Conn -f but for the fact that his constables brought his name tip first. Pie denied now, that he hadi ‘ever given any money to “ .Conn*-’ Further ©vi'denco was given as to .accused’s peculiarities. The Judge summed; up strongly .against the prisoner. After a short retirement the jury returned with a, verdict p£ ■‘■’Not .Guilty.’* His HohorWell, this is another case of most lamentable misearriaga pf justice on the part of. a jury. The Foreman : But,. Your, ‘Honor, Wo are a jury, .His Honor You lia,d your duty to perform. The Foreman! : And we have done it to the best of our ability. The prisoner! was then "discharged.