SCENE IN COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8851, 30 May 1914, Page 5

SCENE IN COURT.

JURY THRICE SENT BACK. 4XI) FINALLY ACQUITB THE *.; .ACCUSED. .WANGAXUL May 29. At the Supreme Court to-day a young man;named Austin Henry Bruen stood ll'is trial for a second time on charges(l) attempting a criminal offence . against a girl under 16 years; (2) in-' ' decent assault; (o) common assault. After three,hours', retirement the jury returned with the following verdict: — Not Guilty on the tin,!, Not Guilty oi indecent assault, Guilty of common "1 SSI Ult Mr Justice Edwards doclped to accept the verdict, on the ground thatit was illogical. The jury retired for three-quarters of an hour, when.it returned with the following verdict:—Not Guilty on the first count, disagreed on the second, and Guilty on the third, with a recominundation to mercy. The Judge again declined to accept rrac-li a verdict.; „ * The juiy once more retired, and after si quarter of an hour returned with a verdict of Not,! Guilty on all counts. Mr Justice Edwards, addressing Pruen, said: —'"The jury has disbelieved your own statements made on oath. I recommend you to be more careful, for you may not find -that another jury will disbelieve you.". The prisoner and jury were then discharged. , . The prisoner, addressing the jury, said: "Gentlemen,! thank you." Mr Justice Edwards: Prisoner at the bar, you are fined £o for contempt of Court. Prisoner's counsel pleaded for si remission of tlio fine, but the Judge ordered payment forthwith, and promised to hear counsel next morning.