Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1918, Page 4

Mr. Justice Stringer has, been speaking pretty plainly to Auckland juries. In one case, addressing the prisoner, who was acquitted, His Honour said: “You can consider yourself ai very lucky man. The jury say you arc not guilty. You are discharged.” Addressing the jury, His Honour said: ‘.‘Please retire to the body of the court,” and then, “'Gentlemen, you say the prisoner is not guilty. One hopes your consciences are clear; however that’s your affair.” In another case Mr. Justice Stringer said he must confess that lie did riot quite understand the process of reasoning by which the jury had arrived at their verdict. Addressing the prisoner, His Honour added: “It is not.a verdict I would have found myself, hut the jury are the judges ; I have to accept their verdict.” Addressing a jury in a later case, His Honour said he desired to impress on members that it was the duty of a jury merely to determine the guilt, or otherwise, of an accused person on the evidence adduced, and not on any other consideration. He had a growing feeling that j uni os sometimes allowed outside considerations to influence them in arriving at a verdict. That should iu>t bo so. Outside circumstances, no matter how slender or for what reason they ware introduced, should have no effect on the minds of jurors, otherwise the value of evidence hvas lost.