TRIALS OF MOTORISTS
CARE NEEDED IN PROSECUTIONS COMMENT BY JUDGE Press Association. GISBORNE. To-day. Addressing the Grand Jury at the opening of the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. Justice Ostler commented upon the manner in which motorists were sometimes brought before the court on charges of manslaughter when ]ittle or no evidence of negligence was presented. He pointed out that motorists had a right to use the roads and the mere fact that a fatality occurred did not, in itself, justify prosecution on a criminal charge. NO EVIDENCE There seemed to be an inclination on the part of the police to prosecute all such cases and magistrates refused to take the responsibility of throwing the cases out. This was where the Grand Jury was useful and no man should be forced to face trial unless there is a prima facie case against him. Referring specifically to the manslaughter charges before the court, his Honour expressed the opinion that there was no evidence that the fatalities were other than pure accidents. and that there had been any neglect on the part of motorists. The Grand Jury returned no bill in both manslaughter charges arising out of the motor fatalities.
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Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 9
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197TRIALS OF MOTORISTS Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 9
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