SCENE IN DOCK

Evening Star, Issue 19550, 7 May 1927, Page 11

SCENE IN DOCK

A VIOLENT PRISONER [Psa „ United Press Assocuxion.] AUCKLAND. May 6. A scene was created in tne Supreme Court by William Murray Aicken, charged with using obscene language When the case was brought in the lower court he had taken advantage of the right to be tried by a jury instead of by a magistrate. Mr Justice Herdman said: It is high time the legislature determined that such cases as this should be hoard by a magistrate, and that the time of this court and a jury should not be occupied with cases that are really trifling.” , Accused made a rambling statement extending over two hours, and paid little attention when the judge pulled him up for talking about irrelevant matters. His Honor threatened once to have accused removed, and to continue the case in his absence. . Eventually accused became violent in the dock, and was removed by force. Loud shouts and screams were afterwards heard. The jury, without leaving the box, found accused guilty, the foreman stating that there appeared .to be something wrong with him, although the doctors had .not found him insane. “It may interest you to know that this ’man has a list of fourteen ' convictions against him: including three of obscene language, said His Honor. There was a further scene when Aicken was brought back and informed of the verdict. Sentence was postponed until Monday.