CHANGED HIS PLEA

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 8, 26 December 1928, Page 7

CHANGED HIS PLEA

MAN WHO ROBBED ANOTHER

AUCKLAND, Dec. 22. “What did you plead guilty to the charge for the other day when you appeared ?” Magistrate Hunt asked George Caffery, who pleaded not guilty to-day tp stealing a. purse containing Cos from a man in an hotel. He ivas allowed/ to change the plea because his counsel (Mr J. F.' IV. Dickson) said that there had been a misunderstanding

Caffery said that, lie spoke low and perhaps Mr Hunt did. not hear him sa.y not.

“Oh, don’t tell me that,”' replied Mr Hunt, “I’m very careful in taking a plea.” Counsel claimed that there was no case to answer, but Mr Hunt thought otherwise.

Mr Dickson: “Why, if the case went to a jury I’m sure Caffery would be found not guilty.”'

Mr Hunt; “Probably.” Mr Dickson; “Juries are the best judges of facts in the world.” Mr Hunt: “That might be so, bub I’m entitled to use. my commonsense, I know how robbing drunken men goes on in hotels.’'’

Mr Dickson; “Quite so, but so many stories are told to Magistrates that their mental condition is such that you would not believe even the Angel Gabriel.” Mr Hunt; “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve let a. few of your clients off' anyway in my time,” Caffery was sentenced to 1! month, Mr Hunt giving him a light sentence because Caffery had been ill.