Alleged Cattle Theft at Hawera.
At the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, on Tuesday, October 4th, James Randall Corrigan and Edward McGlashan were charged that they did on April 10th, 1895, steal two heifers, near the South Road, near Hawera, the property of F. H. Loft. The accused, who were represented by Mr Samuel, pleaded not guilty. Mr Kerr appeared for the Crown. The jury being empanelled, evidence was given by Frank Hedley Loft, A. Fantham, A. S. Tonks, John Steer, Joe Hapene, and Sergeant Stagpoole whose evidence concluded the case.
The following is from the News report : Mr Samuel said he would ask if there was any case to answer. His Honor; Well, I can say I would be extremely sorry to see any man sent to prison on such evidence as this, and I do not think any twelve men of ordinary common sense would do such a thing. As regards McGlashan, I think I would be only doing my duty in directing the jury that there is no evidence against McGlashan.
In reply to a question, the Foreman said the jury wished to hear Mr Samuel.
His Honor : Well, I am astonished. I hope the nex-t time I have to sit here I will have a sensible jury. I am ashamed of them. There were two cases tried in this Court yesterday which, to my mind were perfectly clear—one one way and the other one another—but both of the juries were locked up for the night. I am certainly surprised. You will proceed, Mr Samuel. Mr Samuel was about to address the jury when the foreman intimated that the jury were of opinion that McGlashan was innocent.
The prisoner named was then discharged. Mr Samuel again rose to speak, when the foreman said the jury had agreed to acquit Corrigan also. Mr Samuel said there appeared to have been some misunderstanding. The jury no doubt desired to hear both sides. His Honor remarked that it seemed as though the jury desired the pleasure of hearing Mr Samuel speak. True, it was not often they had the opportunity of hearing a good speaker. Corrigan was then liberated.
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Bibliographic details
Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 8 October 1895, Page 2
Word Count
359Alleged Cattle Theft at Hawera. Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 8 October 1895, Page 2
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