The Perjury Charges.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 578, 5 March 1891, Page 2

The Perjury Charges.

CAPPER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. ' Ths second case against W. Capper was resumed on Tuesday morning, when Wheto (a sister of Dick Brown, the informant) gave evidence, corroborating that of the previous witnesses. The father also gave corroborative evidence. In being crossquestioned by Mr Jones, be said he knew tbe dates of tbe first races so well because they had been published. The second races at tbe Park were on the 16ch and 17ih. (Laughter.) He had made a mistake—he thought it was tbe 13lh and 14th. Further than the one slip the memory of tbe witnesses was quite clear as to the dates. This closed the case for the prosecution. Mr Jones then addressed tbe Court. He said this young man, who was not 18 years of age, had to stand a trial such as he believed no other person of his age had to experience. At the first trial at the Supreme Court the Judge rebuked tho counsel for the prosecution for pressing every point he could against the accused, and alau expressed wonder that nu evidence had been brought forward to ebow where Dick Brown was on the date when the sale was said to have taken place. They must have known well enough what the case for the defence would be, that there was a sale to Brown on the date mentioned. Yet what did they do now F—they brought forth a charge of perjury against the accused on tbe evidence of Dick Brown, whose evidence the jury had disbelieved, and by whose evidence lhe accused had partially been acquitted. And who did they bring that Brown was right, and the accused wrong ? Simply Brown’s own relatione. These people had of course stuck to tbe same tale all tbrough, and were positive about all kinds of little things that otherwise they would not be likely to notice. They knew that if Capper was allowed to go free Brown himself would be liable to be arrested for perjury, and therefore they were interested witnesses who were sure to book up the informant's story. On the whole of the evidence, and the nature of it, he thought His Worship should not commit the. accused. His Worship ; lam not trying (he ease; I have to be satisfied that there Is a priesafacif case to go before a jury. Ol that lam satisfied. After the ordinary oaotion too been read the man will be oommiltodr Tbe accused reserved bis defence. Mr Jonee: Is your Worship disposed to grant bail 7 * Tbie is not a very serious oast according to Mr Justice ConoUy, who in Auckland the other day, sentenced a person convicted to lour months and then let him out oo probation, saying that tbs sting qf perjury was taken out of it when » man »n > - swearing tor his own liberty. His Worship ; There is perjury and parjury, There were two oases here; one mao got three months and lhe other two years, the latter being where one man by perjuring himself got soother into trouble. I ahull be disposed to grant bail for a substantial amouut io this oast, bimeslf io £lOO and two sureties to be approved by tbe police of £5O each.

Mr Jones: That Is really committing him to prison for another six months, while he may be innqecnl. His Worship : This is a very serious crime, and I do no: feel justified in lotting him off tor leer,

Mr Jones: Then we may have to make an appiication to tbe Supreme Court to have it reduced,

His Worship i Alt right; you eta mske any application you think fit.