SUPREME COURT TRIALS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12828, 12 June 1907, Page 9

SUPREME COURT TRIALS.

Cpriss association telegram.) AUCKLAND, Juno 11. At tho Supreme Court to-day two young men, Charles Georgo Frederick Pepper and Herbert Hewlett were cfl-argcd with having received money, knowing it to hare been stolen, from the steamship Navua. Tho accused pleaded "Not Guilty." It will bo remembered that 1000 sovereigns wore stolen from tlie vessel, and that two men, Christie and Manning, third officer and seaman respectively, were found guilty of having stolen tlie money, ajid aro now undergoing sentence. Pepper was charged with Shaving received £230 of and Howlett £182. Tho jury after twenty minutes' retirement, brought in a verdict of "Not Guilty," and tho prisoners were discharged. PALMERSTON NORTH, June 11. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened this morning before Mr Justice Cooper. True bills were found against Richard Daly, bigamy; F. Cross and B. Morse, theft from dwelling; L. M. Murray, cattle stealiiig; Albert Lovelock, forgery. The latter pleaded guilty, and was Bontenoed to two years' imprisonment, and a nrmilar sentence was imposed on Frederick Crosi for theft from a dwelling. Morse was remanded for tho report of tho probation ofßoer. Tho prosecution in tho bigamy case broke down very unexpectedly. The first witness for the Crown produced a copy of tha cortific*ito of accused's former marriago in 1895, to which Mr Innes, counsel for tho defence, objeotetl, pointing ont that the accused Daly was referred to as "Richard" and "Robert" Daly in the same certificate. His Honour, after scrutinising the certificate, remarked that it was a strange blunder, and commented upon the gross carelessness of sqmo official which led to a breakdown of tho prosecution. Tho Crown Prosecutor intimated that he could go no further in tho case, and his Honour directed the jury to acquit tho accused, which was dene, and Dalv was discharged. Christopher Ryan was acquitted on a charge of stenling a gold watch and a cum of money.