THE SILENT ACCUSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 8

THE SILENT ACCUSED.

THIEF WITH NOTHING TO SAY. WATCH, BOOTS, AND HAT STOLEN. SLY .MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. It is remarkable the number of men who plead guilty to charges at the Police Court, then remain silent to await and accept the magistrate's prescription of several months' hard labour so casually, and even, sometimes, with a smile. George Knudson (45), is one of these sort of inen. This morning he admitted that he had been found drunk, while he also pleaded guilty to stealing a watch, pair of boots and a hat, of a total value of £11 17/">, the property of John Campbell Mctiill. " I lie accused,"' said Chief Detective Cunnnings, "picked up with complainant, who recently arrived in Auckland from Rotorua. He went to McGill's room and whilo the latter was a.-leep, stole ihe articles, which he afterwards pawned.'' Even v. hen the chief announced that Knudson had a list of 57 previous convictions accused still remained sphinxlike. "Six months' imprisonment," said Mr. II unt. Knudson half smiled and left the do-k. still preserving his characteristic air ofi nonchalance. Five minutes he was in the dock and only one word did he spe:>k. 1 lliat was "(iuiltv.*'