DAIRY COY CONSPIRACY CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1924, Page 1

DAIRY COY CONSPIRACY CASE.

ijy TRLKCiHAI'II —PIIKSS ASSN., COl’YltlOllT. I’AUMKHSTOX X.. .May In tlu* Dairy C"oy cospiracy < art*, there were no defence witnesses. .'.a extraordinary legal situation aiv-<■ wht'ii tin* jury returned with lilt* 'lrdict of “not guilty” of cinspiraey, in the case of the accused ’J homasen, hut giuli.v of defrauding the rumpal'iy. through Simpson's neglect. The verdict cau-ctl no in c coii-tcrua t ion. IliHonour roiitcsscd that lie could '"ii umici'Ntaiid it. and lie pointed out that Idle (|iiost ion was wiiether m-c U.-ed Thonia.'.'ii hail e ,n->'ire.i with Siiiij-ou with intent to ilelraial. Idle Foreman: “d'iio jury finds th '* was no agrement lietween the two. His Honour: “Ju that ease 1 *oa!I take the limling as one of not utility. Dues the jury umlerstntnl that Simf>sou has already pleaded tuiltt io i.o*. ino conspired with Thoinaseii !" The Foreman: “The jury dealt with the case from' Thomason's point oi view and found lie had no part in the conspiracy." The Crown Prosecutor suggested that the jury he allowed to reconsider the verdict, hut this was disallowed.

His Honour said that the host way would he to discharge Thomason, ami. as other charges were ponding against him. that lie he detained till tomorrow.

The Crown Prosecutor said .amp-on should he allowed to withdraw his pica ami he discharged.

His Honour: “'Hilt he will have been arraigned on a criminal charge and discharged without- a trial or pma. A- it required two H form a eoiispir.rv Simpson according to the jury, was not guilty. Tn addressing Simpson. His Honour Justice Salmond, said:—A oil have pleaded guilty to conspiracy. Yon may have thought you were guilty, hut the’ jury has found there was no i n- ; piracy." The Crown Prosecutor sea relied vails* for a parrallel case. Simosoti was detained on simihai charges in resist of several other farmers.