THEFT ADMITTED.
YOUNG MAN SENT TO PRISON. COUNSEL CRITICISES POLICE. Threo charges of theft were admitted by Etic Keith Hunter McKenzie, alias Eric Taylor, aged 26, warehouseman, in the Poiicc Court on Saturday. It was stated by Sub-Inspector McCarthy that Mckenzie had been caught by a constable stealing an umbrella at an orange fountain, and when ho was taken to tho police station a pot of honey and a shop bell were found in his possession. " Drink was his trouble," said ' Mr. Dickson, for accused. Chief-Detective Hammond said McKenzie had not been working and had been acquitted in the Supremo Court at a recent session.
Objection to this statement was taken by counsel. "It is most improper and contrary to justice," he said. Chief-De-tective Hammond had no right to mention the fact that McKenzie had been be fore the higher Court. As a matter of fact, His Honor directed there was no case and the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty. "It makes no difference to me," said the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt. " What Mr. Hammond said has not weighed the slightest with me. I was saying 14 days before he spoke." Counsel said that subconsciously the statement, made by the chief detective must, have an effect on the magistrate's mind. " I enter an emphatic protest at the method of police prosecution." said Mr. Dickson. " Mr. Hammond will brintr fill's Court into the same disrepute as (he American Courts." The Magistrate: No he won't. I will take caro of that. I will say for the police that I have always found them fair. McKenzie was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment. Replying (o what Mr. Dickson had said, Mr. Hammond said McKenzie was ,i " smart joker." He cycled about the streets in rubber shoos and did no work. Had he been a good working man. nothing would have been said about him.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 14
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314THEFT ADMITTED. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 14
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