PENNILESS ACCUSED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 153, 16 July 1937, Page 11

PENNILESS ACCUSED

-PresS Association.)

Crown Appoints Counsel at Palmerston SERIOUS CHARGES

(By Telegraph—

PALMERSTON N., This Day. jffdien a middle-aged man, the father; of ten children, who has been on sus-j jtenance for several years, appeared inj the Magistrate's Court yesterday toj answer a serious charge, Justices of the; 'Peace were called- on to appoint counsel] to defend him at the expense of .the' Crown,. . ] ' . Charles Frederick Neil Johnson, labourer, aged 39, of Main street, Palmerston North, was the accused. When fthe charge. against him had been read, ■Mr. J. M. Gordon explained that he had been asked to appear for accused, who had been on sustenance for some time, had no means, and was the father of tcn children. "I have examined the case superficially, and it seems to me he has a rcasonable defence," said Mr. Gordon. " The existing legislation provides for counsel to be allotted by Justices of the Peace to any accused who appears before them if they are satisfied he is unable to make provision for himself. The appointment rests with the Court which may select any name from the list approved by the registrar. Johnson is charged with one of the most serious offcnces on the 'calendar and I ithiuk he is entitled to counsel." Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn, "who prosecutcd, said he . was satisfied •that what.Mr. Gordon said as to the ceonomie position of accused was cor* rect. He . had been on sustenance for -years. ^ Messrs A. J. Cruickshank and J. T. Bosworth, J.P.'s, who presided, agreed to the course suggested and appointed Mr. Gordon to appear for Johnson. The case was not completed and after some evidence had been heard was adjourned until to-day to enable the eall•ing of a further witness. Mr. Gordon said that as accused was unable to find • ,bail he was anxious to have the matter brought before the Supreme Court next ;jveek, ..