FOUR YOUNG MEN FACE ARSON AND BURGLARY CHARGES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6910, 16 May 1929, Page 6

FOUR YOUNG MEN FACE ARSON AND BURGLARY CHARGES

Scouting for a Jury RIGHT OF CHALLENGE EXHAUSTS PANEL Per Press Association. ' WELLINGTON, Last Night. In the Supreme Court four young men appeared to answer charges in connection with a somewliat sensational burglary which took place at Lower Hutt early on tho morning of January 11th last. Thomas Gordon, George Wilfred Ryan, Richard Ryan and Hewitt Allan Capon wore charged with wilfully setting fire to paper, clothing and empty boxes with the object of destroying the shop. George Wilfred Ryan, Richard Ryan and Hewitt Allan Capon were charged with breaking and entering tho shop and stealing cloth and trinkets valued at £147 10s. George Wilfred Ryan was charged with receiving goods to the value of £3O 16s 8d knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, and Richard Ryan with receiving goods to the value of £94 13s 8d knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained. The charges were heard before the Chief Justice. Tho right to challenge was freely exercised and by the time ten jurors had been obtained the panel had been exhausted and his Honour directed that the , doors of the court should be closed. Tho registrar then went through the body of the court and obtained more names for the jury list. The new names called were also freely challenged by both sides and once again the registrar had to do some scouting in the courtroom. One juror was still required but four further challenges were mado before the twelfth man was obtained. No fewer than 23 challenges were issued by counsel for tho. accused, while eleven persons were asked to stand aside by the Crown Prosecutor. The Crown Prosecutor said it was alleged that the accused broke a fanlight over a door in Shearer’s shop end after stealing a quantity of goods set lire to the shop. Gordon had pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and theft and it could bo shown that the shop had been set alight in several different places, the intention being to destroy all evidence of the burglary. Capon had pleaded guilty to receiving but the Ryans pleaded not guilty to all charges of arson. The case wa3 adjourned till tomorrow.