NOT WANTED AGAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16570, 1 November 1921, Page 7

NOT WANTED AGAIN.

A JURY AND THEIR VERDICT JUDGE’S IMPLIED DISAPPROVAL. “ The prisoner has been fortunate in the selection of the jury. The jury is discharged from further attendance.’ Such wore the words used by hi* Honor Mr Justice Adams in the Supreme Court to-day, when a jury returned a verdict of not guilty in the case of David Irwin, charged with theft from the person. Irwin had conducted his own defence Yesterday the case was adjourned until this morning, in order that another witness might be heard. After this witness had been heard this morning Irwin addressed the jury. Ho apolo gised for his grammar. He challenged the veracity of complainant’s evidence, and characterised the evidence in general as contradictory. His Honor, directing the jury, said that the case was a simple one. and there was no evidence to contradict that brought by the Crown. The jury, after about half an hour’s retirement, returned a verdict of not guilty. “The prisoner has been fortunate in the selection of the jury,” _ said his Honor. “The prisoner will be discharged. The jury is discharged from further attendance/* His Honor made it clear that ho meant the jury was discharged for the rest of the current criminal sessions. This course is a most unusual one.

The personnel of the jury was as fol|rm.R . Horace Thompson (foreman"), Henry Buckley, George Edward W. Anson, Frank j- Evans. William Harrington. Thomas Lowe, James M’Clntrhie, Herbert Quick. Henry Reed, John W. Robinson, Foster Surplis. George Thompson.