DENT'S CASE.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1979, 8 September 1869, Page 2

DENT'S CASE.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star .) Sir,- In your Saturday n : ght’s paper, I read with some surprise your strictu es on the du Iness, or something worse, of the Dunedin juries. May not the cause be the very heavy sentences that have been passed on prisoners lately, which has induced juries to lean more to the side of mercy, and give a prisoner the benefit of any doubt, however small, that may exist in the r minds? t did not hear the case you quote tried, nor did I read it at the time, but by your extract it seems to me Dent was the tool of the others, though perhaps much too willing a one. I think tradesmen are much to blame in changing cheques so readily holding out almost inducemsnt to dishonest persons. If Dent got off free, surely Leslie got enough for both ; hut what caused me to notice your leader most was the very heavy sentence (though certainly not known then) passed upon ('o„ r an An exactly similar case was tried in Melton ine lately, only of the two wor-e, having been carri d on for a Img time by a Gov-mment official. The Judge, iu sentencing him. said six months would be a worse puni-hinent to a mm like him than as many years loan ol 1 offender, and gave him six mouths accordingly, without hard labor. Surely for a first offence a lit le more mercy might have been shown, as we have always been taught to temper justice with mercy. Apologizing for the length of this, I remain, yours, &c., CITIZES. Dunedin, Sept, 6th, 1860.