CATTLE STEALING CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 83, 24 August 1912, Page 4

CATTLE STEALING CHARGE.

CROWN CASE PAILS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Thursday. , Tho cattle-stealing charge against William Alfred Aldred, which has occupied the Supreme Court for the past two days, was brought to a conclusion lato yesterday afternoon.

When the case resumed, the Crown Prosecutor (Hon. J. A. Tole), who was conducting the case for the police, questioned the witness, Thomas Luke, as to his condition when the statement which contradicted his evidence in the lower court was obtained from him. "I was under the influence of liquor," replied Luke. "Were you drunk!"—" There were some occasions on that night when I did not know what I was saying," was the answer. When Luke was being re-examined by Mr. Cotter, counsel for the defence, the following question waa put to him, "Is it true that Majury (a witness for the Crown) has asked you to alter the statement you made when giving evidence in the lower court?"—" Yes, that is true, and he is not the only one who has been at me."

Mr. Cotter: "Who else was at you?" Witness: "Buckley." (Buckley was another witness for the Crown). Mr. Cotter: "Did they threaten you?" Witness: "Yes, they said I would get myself into gaol if I did not make a new statement." At the conclusion of Luke's two-hour stay in the witness box, Mr. Tole rose and said that owing to the circumstances that had arisen during the hearing of the easo he thought it would he wiser for him if he suggested that His Honor should give his decision as to whether the case was worth consideration by the jury. Considering what had happened, the Crown could not expect anything but Aldred's acquittal. His Honor:-"You have adopted a wise course, Mr. Tole, and you have shown a great deal of discretion." Turning to the inn-, (lie judfre said that he expected that the jury had already made ui) their minds what verdict to give. The case for the Crown was of such a weak nature that no other course was open to them. They had followed the lengthy evidence very carefully, and he expected that they would give their decision at once.

After a momentary glance at his fel-low-jurors, the foreman announced that they had found Aldred not guilty. His Honor: "T could expect no other decision. There is ona feature of the case, however, which must he further Inquired into. T refer to the statement made by the witness. Luke, in the hotel. !' must order that the statement be mpounded, and full inquiry made into the circumstances. I do not wish to infer that the police have been 'getting at' the witness for the defence, for in my opinion Sergeant Wohlman is not to blame, but rather two men whose names need not be mentioned again. However, an inquiry must be made. The prisoner is acquitted."