SUPREME COURT
NELSON SESSION CRIMINAL BUSINESS REX V. WAKEFIELD ' „ JURY DISAGREES ___ , : ' The hearing of the charge of incest against John Thomas Wakefield was concluded at the.- Supreme Court late yesterday afternoon before bis Honour Mr Justice MacGregor. Counsel having addressed the jury, his Honour summed up, in the course of which lie said the whole case, to him, depended upon the evidence of the girl herself. If the jury believed, her, they should convict ; if they belieVed accused they should acquit ; and if they really did not know who to believe they would still have to acquit, because the onus of proof was on the Crown. After being locked up for four hours the jury returned, and the foreman stated that no agreement could be arrived at.
The jury was then discharged and a new trial was ordered for to-day.
NEW TRIAL
The following jury was empanelled for the new trial of John Thomas Wakefield, charged with incest: L. Day (foreman), E. Malcolm, F. L. Hill,* C. B. Hodgson, N. M .Tibbie, .S. A. Drydeti, F. Ricketts, J. W. Pogmore, R. M. Wells, J. Nock, F. H. Stagg, W. Vergurson.
The Crown orderecl five, and Mr Kerr four jurymen to stand aside.
Evidence similar to that at the first trial was given.
After half an hour’s retirement tine jury returned a verdict of not guilty. In the indecent assault charge the Crown offered no evidence and by direction of his Honour the same jury returned a verdict of not -guilty, without retiring, and the accused was discharged.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19261124.2.29
Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 24 November 1926, Page 4
Word Count
257SUPREME COURT Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 24 November 1926, Page 4
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