PERPLEXED JURYMEN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2162, 30 May 1914, Page 5

PERPLEXED JURYMEN

PRISONER FINED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT. (By Tplcerapl.—Prce« Association.) Wanganui. May 29. At the Supremo Courtto-day a young man named Austin Henry Bruen stood trial for the second time on charges: (1) Of attempting to carnally know a girl under sixteen years of age: (2) indecent assault; (3) common assault. After three hours' retirement the jury returned with the following verdict:— Not guilty of carnal knowledge; not guilty of indecent assault; guilty of common assault. Mr. Justice Edwards declined to accept the verdict on the ground that it was illogical. Tlio jury retired for three-quarters of an hour, and returned with the following verdict:—Not guilty on tho first count; disagreed on tho second count, and guilty on tho third count, with a recommendation to mercy. Tlio Judge again declined to accept such a verdict, and tho jury once more retired, and after a charter of an hour returned with a. verdict of not guilty on all counts. • Mr. Justice Edwards, addressing. Bruen, said:—"Tlio jury has disbelieved your own statements made on oath. I recommend you to bo more careful for you may not find that another jury will disbelieve you." The prisoner and tho jiiry were then discharged. Prisoner, addressing the jury, said: — "Gentlemen, I thank you." Mr. Justice Edwards: "Prisoner at the bar, you are fined £5 for contempt of Court." Prisoner's counsel pleaded for a remission of the fine, but the JucTgoordered payment forthwith; and promised to hear counsel nest morning.