COMPLAINTS BY PRISONER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 13

COMPLAINTS BY PRISONER.

A SYMPATHETIC JURY. HAMILTON. February 29. A spirited defence was put up in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Blair by a prisoner, Edward William Slattery Corless, who was charged that, with >ntent to break prison, he attempted to render a warder, John Kennedy, incapable of resistance at Hautu prison camp, near Tokaanu; that he assaulted Kennedy, causing him actual bodily harm; and a third charge of common assault. Prisoner complained that conditions at the camp were by no means what they should be, and made allegations of illtreatment against prisoners under punishment for small offences.

Corless was found guilty on the charge of common assault, and the jury added that there was great provocation, and made a strong recommendation for mercy.

A sentence of six months’ imprisonment was passed, additional to the prisoner’s present sentence. The jury added the following rider to the verdict:—lt is considered that the evidence shows that the medical treatment of prisoners at Hautu Camp calls for urgent inquiry. His Honor promised to forward the jury’s recommendation to the proper quarter. Mr Justice Blair made it clear that he did not approve, as might have been construed from the report, of the rider added by the jury when giving its verdict m the case. There was no evidence to justify the passing of the rider. The jury had mistaken a bold assertion for sworn evidence. Prisoner made a series of allegations which were mere assertions by -a person whose word, when hrs criminal record was considered, became absolutely worthless. ; Mr H. T. Gillies, Crown solicitor, remarked that juries generally seemed unable to differentiate between statements made from the witness box and from the dock. In the first case a statement was made on oath and subject to cross-exami-nation, whereas a statement from the dock was mere assertion.