JUDGE, JURY, AND PRISONER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 30 May 1914, Page 5

JUDGE, JURY, AND PRISONER

UN US UA Li PROCEEDINGS AT WANG ANLJI. (United Phess Association.) WANG AN UI. May 29. At the Supreme Court to-day a voung man named Austin 'Henry Rruen stood his trial for the second time on three charges : (1) Attempting to carnally know a girl under 16 years of age ; (2) indecent assault : (3) common assault. After three hours' retirement the jury returned with tile following 'verdict : Not guiltv of carnal knowledge, not guilty of indecpnt assault. but guilty of common assault. Mr Justice Edwards declined to accept the verdict on the ground that it was illogical. The jury retired for threequartersf of an hour, when it returned with the following verdict : Not guilty on the first count, disagreed on the second and third, with a recommendation to mercy. The Judcre again declined to accept such a verdict. The jury once more retired. and after a quarter of an hornreturned with a verdict of not guilty on all counts. Mr Justice Edwards in addressing Rrnen said : "The jury has disbelieved your own statements made on oath. I recommend you to be more careful, for yon may not find that another jury will disbelieve you." Prisoner audi jury were then discharged. The prisoner, addressing- the jurv, said. "Gentlemen, I thank you.'* Mr Justice Edwards: "Prisoner at the liar, you are fined £5 for contempt of Court." The prisoner's counsel pleaded for remission of the fine, but the Judge ordered payment forthwith, and promised to hear counsel next morning.