SUSPECTED PERSONS

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 6

SUSPECTED PERSONS

STATEMENTS TO POLICE. “NO NEED TO ISSUE WARNINGS.” (Special to the Times). Dunedin, December 3. That there was no necessity to issue a warning to a suspected person before making a statement to the Police was the assertion of Senior Sergeant Quartermain in the Police Court when further evidence was taken in regard to a charge against James Ernest Gullen of indecent exposure in a public place on November 23. Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the accused. Constable Excell said that at the detective office, the accused had made a statement admitting the offence. Subsequently he told the constable that his solicitor told him “He was a fool to make a statement” and that he would get two years for the offence. To Mr White, Constable Excell stated that the accused was at the detective office for roughly about two hours, and that at first he strenuously denied the offence. Senior Sergeant Quartermain: “You. know that the Department forbids you to issue a warning to suspected persons?” Constable Excell: "Yes.” Mr White: “That is news to me.” The Senior Sergeant: “We do not intend to warn suspected persons.” Mr White: “Of course not, but as a matter of fair play you should.” Detective Jenvey said that the accused expressed a wish to make a statement. To Mr White: The wish was expressed about 4 to 4.30 p.m., the accused remaining at the detective office from 2.45 to 5 p.m. The accused was tripped up in a number of lies, and then expressed the wish to make a statement. No warning was given to the accused.

The accused was remanded in custody until Friday.