SUPREME COURT.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 870, 9 April 1877, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS. Monday, April 9. (Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.) His Honor took his scat in Court at 10 a.m., at which hour the sittings of the Court were resumed, STEALING FROM A DWELLING. George Mussen was indicted for having on 29th December last stolen two rings and several other articles from the dwelling-house of one Rebecca Stewart. The prisoner, who was defended by Mr Joynt, pleaded “ Not Guilty." The case for the crown was that the prisoner met the prosecutrix in Gloucester street, and accompanied her home. There the prisoner paid the prosecutrix the sum of £1 10s. After some little time the prisoner demanded the money paid from the prosecutrix, which was refused. He then ransacked the house, taking from thence some money and a box containing the articles laid in the indictment, intimately the prosecutrix made an appointment with the prisoner for the purpose of his returning a portion of the property so stolen, when the prisoner gave her back the box from a hiding place in a hedge. The box contahuKi some of the property stolen, but not the money. The prosecutrix then gave information to the police, who asked prisoner’s name. The prisoner said his name was George Mitchell. Ultimately the prisoner was identified as working in Montgomery’s timber yard, and was arrested. For the Crown, Mr Duncan called Sergt. Wilson, the prosecutrix, Rebecca Stewart, S. Needham (who dejiosed to the general good character borne by the prisoner), and John Mumford. The latter deposed to the prisoner leaving a box in Ids premises, Manchester street south, near the railway. This witness also deposed to examining the box and seeing two purses, a quantity of ribbon, and a lady’s dress improver. The prisoner took the box away in the evening about half-past eight o’clock. William Watson was called by the Crown, and deposed to seeing the prosecutrix on 3rd January, in Hereford street, near St. John’s Church, with the box produced on her head. She was going eastward. Mr Inspector Feast gave evidence as to prosecutrix coming to his office with a piece of paper, having a name on it. It had the name of George Mitchell on it. Mr Duncan having addressed the jury. Mr Joynt replied on behalf of the prisoner at some length. His Honor summed up. The jury proceeded to consider their verdict. Up to the time of our going to press the verdict had not been returned.