Unique Procedure

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 30 May 1914, Page 5

Unique Procedure

TlffiEE VERDICTS OX SECOND TRIAL. FOR CRIMINAL OFFENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wangjnui, Last Night. At, the Supreme Court to-day, a young man named Austin Henry Bruen stood his trial for the second time on charges of (1) attempting to carnally know a girl under sixteen years; (2) indecent assault; (3) common assault. After three hours' retirement, the jury returned with the following verdict:—Not guilty of carnal knowledge, not guilty of indecent assault, hut guilty of common assault. Mr. Justice Edwards declined to accept the verdict, on the ground that it was illogical. The jury retired for three-quarters of an hour, when thev returned with the following veTdict:— 't guilty on the first count, disagreed sn the second, and guilty ou the third, with a recommendation to mercy. The Judge again declined to accept such a verdict. The jury once more I •etired, and after a quarter of an hour •eturned with a verdict of not guilty on ul counts. Judge Edwards, addressing Bruen, aid, "The jury has disbelieved your ►wn statements, made on oath. I re-i ouunend you to be more careful, for 'ou may not find that another jury will lisbeheve you.", The prisoner and jury were disharged. The prisoner, addressing the jury, said, Gentlemen, I thank you." Judge Edwards: Prisoner at the bar, ou arc fined five pounds for contempt f court. Prisoner's counsel pleaded for remision of the fine, hut the Judge ordered ayment forthwith, and promised, to car counsel next morning, A decree nisi \va s granted in the case, lorence May Gordon v. Matthew J. ordon, on the grounds of drunkenness nd desertion.