NO AGREEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8735, 18 May 1914, Page 8

NO AGREEMENT

FEATHERSTON STREET RIOT,

THIRD TRIAL OF JOHNSTON FAILS.

His Honour Hr Justice Hosking and a jury of twelve were engaged in the Supreme Court on Saturday in re-hearing the charge against George Johnston of having taken part in a riot in Feathcrston street on November sth, 1913, The charge was twice tried at the previous session, and on both occasions the jury were'unable to agree. At the third trial Mr H. H. Ostler (Crown Law Officer) conducted the prosecution, and Mr Fitzgibbon defended the accused. °ln outlining the case, Mr Ostler stated that on the date in question there was a serious riot just outside the Court. On that occasion, remarked the Prosecutor, he was addressing the jury and did not see the riot. Hr Fitzgibbon objected to the Crown Prosecutor's making any reference to his personal experiences. The objection was upheld, but His Honour at the same time remarked that he did not think anything unfair had been done j the facts would be proved. Continuing. Mr Ostler described the nature of the disturbance, and said that the mounted “specials” lined up across Whitmore street, and apparently the mob collected in front of them and commenced throwing stones. A charge by the mounted men followed, and there was a rush of people into the yards of Government Buildings. When some thirty or forty persons had gained admittance, the gates were closed. Stones were thrown in the yard, and the accused was arrested and. on being searched, was found to have two or three pieces of road metal in his pockets. Evidence was given on the same lines as at the previous trials. Sir E. J. Fitzgibbon addressed the jury, and in the afternoon His Honour summed up. After being out for the full four hours, the jury announced; at 6.33 p.m., that they were unable to agree.