ANOTHER DISAGREEMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 109, 11 May 1927, Page 9

ANOTHER DISAGREEMENT

ELDERLY FARMER RETRJQE3V

JURY'S LONG RETIREMENT.

A case which occupied a jury front 10.30 a.m. to 8.5 p.m. yesterday came to an end without a definite decision "being reached.

William Jenkins (63), farmer, of den* field, was charged with committing , at serious offence on a girl, aged 14. ■ The girl was alleged to have made incriminating statements (which she signed), but in the Police Court and again in the Supreme Court she repudiated what she had said.

Jenkins was tried last week in Mry Justice Herdman's Court, but the jury disagreed, and a second trial took place yesterday before Mr. Justice Stringer and a new jury. Once again the iih vestigations were inconclusive. It was evident that his Honor sympathised with the jury, for when their* failure to agree was announced, he said: "I am not atto* gether surprised. It has been a difficult case."

Mr. V. R. Meredith (Crown Prosecutor)] made formal application for a new trial, pending the usual reference to the Attor* ney-General whether or no there shall now be a nolle prosequi. The position with regard to future procedure will bt| made known ou Friday. -