SUPREME COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2498, 11 May 1909, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

; CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

[Per Press Association.] -

' * WELLINGTON, May 10. . The criminal sessions opened this morning. Tlie judge, in his address to the grand jury, said there were no special features i» any of the cases. Frederick Armstrong, on four charges of theft at Taihape, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Janies Hemmingway pleaded guilty to robberies-at the Government printing 1 office and Whitcomb and Tombs’, and, his case was set down Tor sentence later in the day. Frederick Armstrong?, alias Geo. Pluck, was sentenced to two years’ hard labor for theft at Taihape (four charges), i ‘ ' r CHRISTCHURCH, May 10.

The criminal sittings of the Supremo Court opened before Judge Denniston. For trial there are. sixteen persons, including William Connelly, charged with murder at Westport, several cases of forgery, one of manslaughter, one Of perjury and the rest assault, robbery, thert, and burglary. For sentence there are seven prisoners, charged with forgery, housebreaking, and theft. "

His Honor, in charging the grand jury, said the calendar was unusually long for a district in which the list, as a rule,, was moderate. Of the sixteen bills, one had been removed from outside the district by arrangement. Though the list was heavy the chargee were comparatively moderate in character, only one being of a sexual nature, but not of outrage. There seemed to he a decrease of crimes of that nature during the last few sessions in all districts.

Referring to the charge of murder against William Connelly, His Honor said that the first admission of<accused that he took a slight -part in the affair was. sufficient to establish a prima facie case for manslaughter, but in view of his subsequent admissions that he had been alone in the matter, he thought the jury would .find a true bill on the graver charge. True bibs were found against James Henry Wilson, forgery; Alexander Kiddey, manslaughter; Charles Geddis, forgery; Mary Blue and Christopher Denby, theft'; Herbert Anderson, receiving stolen goods. No bill was returned against Jane Burnett, alleged concealment of birth.

The grand jury found a true bill against William Connelly on the murder charge. Albin Carson, aged 19 years, was sentenced: to six months’ imprisonment for indecent assault ;A!bert Summerton, for forgery, to 12 months’ probation; Albert Clements, 19 years, was also admitted to 12 months’ probation for forgery; Henry James Morell, perjury, was sentenced to one months’ imprisonment; Thos. John Windsor, aged 24 years, to nine months’ imprionmenc for house-breaking; John Henry Wilson, for forgery, to four months’ imprisonment; Charles Geddis, for forgery, to three years’ imprisonment, and was also dec’ared an habitual criminal. George Egan and Win. Auton were found guiltv of breaking and entering. The first-named was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, and the second to IS months’. In a second charge against Auton of a similar character, the jurx. two hours and a-half deliberation were unable to agree, and were dismissed, His Honor intimating that the Crown prosecutor would apply for a nolle prosequi.