"MUTE OF MALICE."
Whether, a silent prisoner was "'mute of malice or by visitation of God," was the question that a jury had to answer before a trial could proceed at West Sussex sessions. Alfred Bernarc. Ayres, motor mechanic, was charged with breaking- iuto a territorial drill hall at Worthing and stealing- money and cigarettes, but he refused to plead.
Dr. Watson, senior medical officer at Brixton Prison, stated that Ayres spoke normally while in prison awaiting trial until four days before his appearance in Court. After receiving a letter which appeared to upset him, he ceased speaking. It was the doctor's opinion that prisoner was capable of speaking. The jury found that Ayres was mute of malice, and, after evidence had been given, he was sentenced to IS months' hard labour.
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Bibliographic details
Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3078, 8 April 1927, Page 6
Word Count
132"MUTE OF MALICE." Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3078, 8 April 1927, Page 6
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