NO VERDICT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 8

NO VERDICT

CHARGE OF RIOTING. GEORGE JOHNSTON TO STAND THIRD TRIAL. Tbs re-trial of the case of George Johnston, charged with having taken part in a riot in Featberston street on November sth, occupied His Honour the Chief Justice and a jury of twelve in tho Supreme Court yesterday. Mr R. S. K. Macassey appeared for the Crown, and Mr Fitzgibbon for tho accused. It was alleged that, on the occasion of a charge by mounted special constables on the date in question, the accused ran into'the yards of Government Buildings and threw stones at special constables, and that when he was arrested several largo stones were found in his pocket. For the defence it was contended that Johnston was forced into the yard by the rush, that no one saw him throw any stones, and that the stones found in his possession were held for purposes of self-defence. The jury retired at noon, and after remaining out the prescribed four hours, intimated, through their foreman, that they had failed to agree. His Honour: “Is there any chance of your agreeing?” The foreman: “I am sorry to say there is not, Your Honour.” “I am very sorry,” responded His Honour. “I have thought all along that at' criminal trials we ought to adopt the system that is in force in Scotland, Germany, and France. But this is onr law, and we must obey it.”

A third trial was ordered for the nest criminal session, and tho accused was released in his own recognisance of £SO.