PRISONER’S CONFESSION.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 33, 9 February 1929, Page 6

PRISONER’S CONFESSION.

MADE JUST BEFORE SENTENCE. A two-edged weapon. PALMERSTON N,, Last Night-. Following the unusual developments which occurred' in, the Supreme Cour» this morning, James Morton McGill, who had been found guilty of breaking and entering Christie’s tobacconist shop in Rangrtikei Street, created a further surprise "by himcfing in to Mr Justice Smith a written confession when he appeared. an Court t/ii,is afternoon for -slantencel laitcC! having been remanded while the missing safe was recovered. Mr.. Cooke (Crown Prosecutor) ; The safe is in the police station covered with rust and in a very dirty condition. Its hinges hay© • been sawn, off and (the contents' removed)., Thera i s . no possible prospect of securing any finger prints. Wq will i>roduco the safe for Your Honour’s inspection. His Honour: There is no need, but from the point of view of destitution. EVERYTH IMS HAS GONE. Air Cooke: Everything ha.s.goine. The production of the safe at, the last minute is rather a two-eclged weapon. If that position had been before the jury at all it might have affected its verdict on the first; count. ;

“Confession before trial would haw© been taken into consideration in fixing sentence,” added His Hon cor, “but when it is nuuST afterwards, at the fast minute before sentence, it is vo ry difficult to deal with, a confession as mitigating circumstances.’’

•Sentence of three years’ ,reformative detention was then passed.