NOT GUILTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8360, 21 February 1913, Page 7

NOT GUILTY

FINGER-PRINTS FAIL THOMPSON ACQUITTED ON MURDER CHARGE. ESCORTED BY CHEERING CROWD. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh* (Received February 20, 9.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 20. At the trial of Thompson for the murder of Trotter, Chief Justice Madden, in summing up, said that if the jury wero satisfied that the fingorjirint on the window-sill was Thompson’s, they were at liberty to convict him of the murder. It appeared that accused was in the Post Office Hotel, which was in the neighbourhood of the tragedy, until 11 o’clock on that particular night. Accused said then that ho took a train to town. If so, one would have thought that ho would have been able to call someone who saw him. The corroborating circumstances, though slight, were not without significance. The jury, after four hours’ deliberation, found a verdict of “ Not guilty.” The crowd outside the court cheered at the verdict, and subsequently escorted Thompson down the street, cheating him. CONTEMPT OF COURT “AGE’S” COMMENT IN FINGER PRINT EVIDENCE. (Received February 21, LlO p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 20. The editor of the “Age” has been fined £lO, and the publisher £l, for contempt of court in connection. with a paragraph published during the trial of Thompson stating that fingerprints could be faked, reproduced With a rubber stamp, and used to the detriment of a prisoner. A second' paragraph stated that the jury was the most befogged jury that ever sat in this Court. Mr Justice Madden said that 1 the latter was not in good taste, but it was not contempt of court. Ho a» cepted an apology.