NOT PROVEN.
TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The murder case just concluded shows the necessity for an alteration in oui criminal law. At present a jury can onlj) bring in a verdict of guilty, or not guilty. It frequently happens that only circumstantial evidence _ can be produced. " However convinced a jury may be of the guilt of an accused person, unless the evidence is sufficient to sheet the charge home to him, the jury must find a verdict of not guilty, or take the responsibility of perhaps convicting an innocent man. How much better it would be in such cases for a jury to be able to find a verdict of " not proven, l ' as allowed in the Scotch Courts, so that if fresh and important evidence was forthcoming the case could be brought up again.— am, etc., Edward Wayte.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 3
Word Count
138NOT PROVEN. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 3
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