CHARGE OF THEFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22023, 4 August 1933, Page 10

CHARGE OF THEFT

WOMAN FOUND NOT GUILTY (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. August 3. With an alibi as her defence, Minnie Marjorie O’Keefe, aged 42, pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court to-day when she was charged before Mr Justice Reed and a jury with the theft of £93, the property of Walter Byrne. After a retirement of a little over an hpur the jury returned a verdict of not guilty and the prisoner was discharged. It was alleged by the prosecution that Byrne met the accused at an hotel on June 22 and they had some drinks together. He paid for the drinks with some monev which he took from a purse containing £9O odd. Later, he went home alone and went to bed, placing the purse and the money under his pillow. During the evening, it was stated, he woke up and found the accused “ going through ” his clothes, which were on the floor. When ho got out of bed the accused went into the passage and he went into the bathroom. The accused brushed past him and went back into his room. When he returned from the bathroom the accused had gone and, it was alleged, the purse was missing.

For the defence, evidence was given regarding O’Keefe’s movements on the night in question. Counsel also submitted that Byrne’s evidence was not to be relied on, as on bis own admission be was in a dazed condition when he woke up, having had up to 20 drinks that day.