PREJUDGED?
JP/s. Give Premature ; Verdict (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Two justices of the peace' sat in judgment in the absence of the . regular magistrate last week and provided :a bright turn. . . •• puNE man,- haled before them on a ahorse of common, assault,: pleaded not guilty through his lawyer. The prosecuting Bergeant of pblice thereiipon brought forward hia witnesses in the usual way. • * * Waiting patiently for the usual intima'tion to begin' his defence, sat defendant's counsel, but hardly had the last witness i f Qr the prosecution left the witness-box before "the court" gave its decision. ; •■■:•. . \ , •Up spake the senior -Justice: ' "The nburt has , decided to cbnvlct. You will be fined £3 and costs." Defendant's counsel rosfi" quickly to his feet and protested. : : |Mf your worships please," he said, "defendant has pleaded not guilty and surely is entitled to give evidence along the lines indicated?" The court: "You have not called him yet." < o " Counsel: "If your worships please, I have been waiting- an opportunity to do so." ••'■..■". ■'The justices allowed defendant to go Into thp .witness-box and tell his side of the story. ; At. the conclusion of his evidence, hig counsel stated that . as . defendant had- beeriv in vgapl nearly three weeks pending^ the appearance of the assaulted man, their worships, if they intended .to convipt,, should take that factor- into, consideration. >-•.: • After' a ; mom ent's whispered : speech between v the two J.P.'si ;. the : penalty was annpuhced—- £2' and costs, in default'seven'days.: ; : --.^ ; .'. ■ . : : ■;'; •■■;•';
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTR19280614.2.41.2
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NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 8
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243PREJUDGED? NZ Truth, Issue 1176, 14 June 1928, Page 8
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