ORDEAL IN DOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20323, 2 August 1929, Page 17

ORDEAL IN DOCK.

SICK WOMAN ON TRIAL.

FALSE STATEMENT MADE.

JURY FAILS TO AGREE.

ACCUSED THEN PLEADS GUILTY.

There was an unusual climax to the lengthy trial of a woman in the Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Ostler. The accused, who was obviously seriously ill, was in the dock for nearly two hours, and she had to bo supported from time to time by the polico matron. After a retirement of four hours the jury failed to agree, and a retrial was ordored. Tho accused then pleaded guilty, and, on tho verge of collapse, she was convicted and ordered to como up for sentence when called upon.

Grace Edith Darling Greenfield, married, of Rangiahua, near Whangarei (Mr. Sullivan), was charged with fraudulently stating that she had posted a postal packet containing money. It was stated that accused said sho registered and posted from Kaikoho to nn Auckland firm a letter containing £6 15s, knowing that sho liad not done so.

J. I. Allan, inspector of the Post and Telegraph Department, said "hat lie had examined record books at Kaikoho post office in order to ascertain whether such a registered letter as described had been -posted. No record existed of a registered letter posted by A. K. Greenfield ttf Searle and Company, tailors, of Auckland. Records wero also examined at Ohacawai, Okaihau and Rangiahua. lie was not aware that postal notes for 4s were issued by the department. Tie was prepared to stnto that no such letter ns described had ever passed through the Post Office.; if it had, some record of it would have been available. Letter to Chief Postmaster. Witness read a letter from accused's husband to the chief postmaster at Auckland, stating that inquiries should be made for a registered letter posted at Kaikohe to Searle and Company. It was stated that tho letter contained £6 15s, including a 4s postal note, being -the balance of an order for some clothes. Detective Robertson, of Whangarei, said that he interviewed accused at her home at Rargiahua, and she then stated that she bad posted the letter. Accused s husband had written to the department J complaining that the letter had not been delivered. Witness said it was made clear to him that accused did not want her husband to bother about writing to the department. In addressing the jury, Mr. Sullivan said that the Crown had failed to prove that accused had made a fraudulent statement to a responsible officer of the Post and Telegraph Department. The wile s consent had not been given to the sending of her husband's letter to the department.

"As far as the statement to the detective is concerned, I say deliberately (hat if you find accused guilty this will be the first occasion on record on which tho making of a statement, to a detective constitutes a crime in itself," counsel added 'ln every case a detective gets some corroboration or admission of a crime previously committed." Plea After Disagreement. His Honor said the Act stated that any person who fraudulently made a false statement regarding the sending of a package was guilty of nn offence. The statement could be made to anyone, not necessarily to a public servant. If accused stated to her husband, the detective or anyone else that sho posted tho letter, and did not do so, she was guilty of an offence. The jury was unable to agree upon a verdict after a retirement of four hours, and a retrial was ordered. After a short adjournment, Mr. Sullivan requested to be heard, and on tho Court resuming ho stated that in view of the fact that the jury had considered the ease so carefully and in view of her health, the accused had instructed him to plead guilty. The Judge granted the application, and stated that any further proceedings would have to be regarded as a retrial if sentence were to bo passed. Accused would no doubt waive tho reading of the charges and the depositions. This was agreed to by counsel. Ho said that accused was in very bad health. Sho was tho mother of 11 children, and had never been in troublo • beforo. Sentence When Called Upon.

"You are really liable to two years' imprisonment," tho Judge said, in addressing tho accused. "I can sec that you are thoroughly ill, and I am not going to send you to prison. In my opinion the publicity of this trial and the anguish and agony you have endured bring their own punishment. I will convict you and order you to como up for sentenco when called upon. \c>u will also have to pay the costs of the prosecution." Accused was on the verge of collapse and had to be almost carried from the Court. She made nn effort to address the Judge, but was unable to speak. Mr. Sullivan expressed his thanks for the consideration shown by the Judge.