THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 10 March 1915, Page 3

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

THE ACCUSED DISCHARGED. Feb Pbebs Association. Hamilton, March 9. The case came to an abrupt ending at the Supreme Court this afternoon. At the conclusion of the case for tiie Crown, Mr Skerrctt, lor the accused, submitted that there was no case to go to the jury. He raised the point, not with the least desire of wishing to avoid calling the accused ■md his witnesses, but under the circumstances he was of opinion that it would be a serious waste of time. On the main grounds he held that there was no case to answer, and it was permissible for his Honoi to ask the jury if they wished the defence heard. But his Honor said, the matter must ’rest with the jury at the present stage, although he was doubtful is some of the grounds of alleged negligence had been supported by evidence.

On the question being put to the jury by bis Honor, the foreman asked permission to retire. Jhe jury returned in ten minutes, when the foreman intimated that they were unanimously of opinion that the evidence of the prosecution did not sustain the charge of culpable negligence against the accused. This was tantamount to a. verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.