Jury’s Acquittal On Charge Of Indecent Assault

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1948, Page 6

Jury’s Acquittal On Charge Of Indecent Assault

Alter a retirement of 50 minutes, a jury in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday afternoon, returned a verdict of not guilty in the case ot al ti ed Earle Carter, painter and labourer, aged 32, who was charged with indecent offence on a girl, aged nine years. Accused, for whom Mr. R. E. Jack appeared, was discharged by Mr. Justice Christie.

The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. N. R. Bain, conducted the case for the Crown and the offence was alleged to have been committed in Queen’s Park on October 9. After the jury had returned with its verdict of not guilty, the foreman, Mr. P. J. Cox, said that the jury wished to express disapproval of a little girl witness in the case of this nature neing kept in Court after her evidence had been given. His Honour commented that the

girl's being kept in Court was probably an oversight. It was a fact, however, that no further detailed evidence had been given which enlarged on her own account of tlte alleged happenings. His Honour added that having regard to what, lie had said previously

about the duty of the jury to take the matter beyond reasonable doubt, the jury had probably acted wisely. The jury consisted of Messrs P. J Cox (foreman) and Messrs D. H. Adam, W. J. Barnes, B. A. Benefield, W. G. Coombes, J. H. Davis, G. B. Diggle, H. F. Dyke, Gaunt. A. R. Johnson, D. E. Lake and H. White.