MORITZON’S CASE

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2523, 22 April 1881, Page 2

MORITZON’S CASE

SECOND EDITION

[By Telegraph.] Dunedin. April 22. On the Court reassembling this morning, the jury in Moritzon’s case said there was no piospect oE an agreement. At Mr Haggitt’s request the judge explained that the jury need not acquit or convict on all of the three counts in the indictment. The jury again retired for a few minutes. They said, on their returning, that they dis agreed on the first count, and found prisoner not guilty on the other two. A long discussion ensued between judge and counsel as to whether or not such a verdict could be recorded. Eventually His Honor decided to enter a verdict of acquittal on the last two counts, and to allow the prisoner to he tried again on the first count. The judge in discharging the jury told them they had allowed their sympathies and not their reason to prevail. The three remaining indictments and two decided cases were then adjourned till the July sitting, pending the decision of the Appeal Court, Counsel for the defence strongly urged the prisoner’s liberation on increased bail. The judge said that when a point was reserved after conviction the question of bail was within the discretion of the Court, but in view of the numerous eases of the kind he declined the application.