JUDGE’S COMMENT ON JURIES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 6

JUDGE’S COMMENT ON JURIES

FAILURE TO AGREE AT -AUCKLAND

“NOT FACING UP TO TRUE ISSUES” (New Zealand Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 9. “These juries i*re not facing up to the true issues with a sense of responsibility; they are not bringing their minds" to bear on real matters said Mr Justice Finlay in the Supreme Court to-day after a jury had announced its failure to agree in the retrial of Robert Courtney Reece aged 19, who was charged with the attempted murder of his brother, William Charles Reece. . Alternative charges against the accused were of wounding his brother with intent to do grievous bodily harm, of causing actual bodily harm under circumstances that, if death naa occurred, he would have been guilty of manslaughter and of assault causing actual bodily harm. The jury was out for four and a ball °Making an application for bail, counsel for the defence said the accused had been in prison since the offence was committed. All his family desired to have him back and his job was still open to him. , . His Honour said: “One cannot get away from the fact that the accused committed a murderous . act. It was a dreadful act. While he is only young and should be given every assistance, I am concerned about turning him loose again on society.” A new trial was ordered for the next session. His Honour said he would be prepared to make new arrangements for the accused if some place could be found for him away from his family. . During the present criminal session six different juries have failed to reach agreement.