PRISONER'S PROTEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 294, 6 August 1932, Page 5

PRISONER'S PROTEST

'Press. Assn.-

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SOLICITOR AND WARDER

-By Telegraph — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Friday. John Richard Anderson (25-) was rharged in the Supreme Court to-day ,vith intentionally doing actual hodily larm to Owen Mulholland and Cornelius Clai'k and also with assaulting fchese two men so as to cause them actual hodily harm. His Honour, Mr. Justice Reed was on the Bench. Before the jury was empanelled the prisoner made a heated protest against one of the prison warders. He said the warder had told him that he had oetter plead guilty to a charge of aggravated assault, as if he pleaded not guilty and afterwards was found gulity of wounding with intent, he would get a long sentence and a flogging. Prisoner also complained about the

attitude adopted by the solicitor who had been appointed by the Crown to appear for him. Anderson said the solicitor had told him that he could not take his case if he did not plead guilty to the charge of aggravated assault. "I cannot understand the attitude of these men," added Anderson heatedly. "It is not the attitude of honest men. It is not." "That will do, prisoner," said His Honour. "The advice that was given to you was excellent." With that Anderson turned his back to the Bench and faced bystanders at the hack of the Court. He was t.old to face the proper way. Anderson, who was not represent■ed by counsel, exercised his full right of six challenges. He also rigorously cross-examined the Crown witnesses. The case is that arising from an affair at the rear of the City Hotel on May 7, two men being slashed with a razor. Anderson was found guilty of causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment.