THE THIRD DEGREE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1921, Page 5

THE THIRD DEGREE.

POLICE APPLY PRESSURE. MAGISTRATE REMONSTRATES. Christchurch, Oct. 27. The use by the police of something like “the third degree” was criticised by Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in a case of alleged sheep stealing, which was heard by him in the Magistrate’s Court today. A young man, Albert Ru-shtoii, was charged with having unlawfully killed one sheep with intent to steal th? carcass.

Constable H. Williams, of Coalgate, stated that the accused was very evasive in his answers, and it was only after witness and. Constable Johns had both “had a go at him” that he gave an intelligible explanation of the presence" of the meat. He put up a “desperate struggle” with Johns before admitting that he had killed the sheep. In answer to the Magistrate, the witness said that it would be correct to say that fairly severe pressure was put upon accused. The Magistrate: From your evidence you evidently do not know that it was not your duty to put the man through the third degree. Witness: It was nothing like the third degree.

The Magistrate: It is merely a question of pressure. You evidently do not know that a police officer exceeds his duty if he puts pressure upon a person to obtain information. His duty is only to make inquiries of a suspected person and obtain his version of the matter.

The Magistrate also remarked that Constable Johns’ evidence appeared to show that accused, gave the information in the ordinary course without pressure. Rushton, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial.