RECEIVING CHARGE FAILS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 17

RECEIVING CHARGE FAILS

CHIEF JUSTICE DIRECTS THE JURY Owing to the Chief Justice (Hon. M. Myers) directing the jury to bring in a verdict of not guilty, a case against a watchmaker came to an abrupt end in the Supreme Court yesterday. The accused was Charles Sender, who had pleaded not guilty to a Charge of receiving jewellery valued at £27, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. Mr. P. S. K. Macassey prosecuted, and Mr. W. E. Leicester appeared for prisoner. ■ , „ Mr. Macassey stated that accused, a working jeweller, was alleged to have bought the jewellery from a man named Clark, who had pleaded guilty to having stolen it from houses in Petone last July. Evidence was given by Frank Clark, who is at present serving a term of imprisonment for breaking, entering and theft, and who said that he sold 'the jewellery to Sender for £2 6s. He had told Sender that it belonged to him and his wife. His Honour stated that the case for the Crown was such that it would be absolutely unsafe for a jury to convict. In the circumstances, he directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. - The jury, without leaving, their seats, returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.