THE KINGSLAND CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1911, Page 6

THE KINGSLAND CASE.

I —" < CHARGE OP MURDER. PvS-THIAL OF MIIS. O'SHATJGHWBSSY. The re-trial of Martha Jane O'Shaughnessy, on the charge of murder in connection with the death of Elsie Alexandra Holland at accused's house in First Avenue, Kdngsland, on o.r about Juno 13th last, rendered necessary by the dis agreement of the jury last week, was commenced at Auckland Supreme Court this morning. Mr. Justice Chapman occupied the Bench, Mr. J. A. Tole, K. 0., prosecuted, and Mr. It. A. Singer appeared for the accused. Judged lsy the reduction of the number of the general public in attendance to watch the proceedings the public interest in the case had apparently waned since last week, and there was especially a diminution in the gathering of female spectators. Tho appearance of the accused had undergone little or no change since last before the court, and still bore traces of anxiety and nervousness. A now jury panel was sworn in for tho week's work, ami some tixae was occupied in empanelling "the twelve good men and true" who are to adjudicate between "our Sovereign Lord the King and prisoner at the bar," chiefly owing to the extreme caution of the Crown in exercising the right cf challenging jurors. Only six jurymen were allowed to pass when Mr Singer had exhausted his privilege of challenging six and Mr Tole had ordered twenty-four to stand aside before the full complement, was secured. The "following were enrpannelled: Messrs. Ashley Hunter (foreman.; , Thomas Hyman Mason, William Joseph Martin, Frank Wiggle Jones, Peter Ilarvey, David Lindsay, Ernest Ash, Lawrence ■Coleman, John Thompson, Eli Kutanch, Alexander Wright and Thomas Arthur Wilson.

Mr. Tolo -outlined the allegations of the Crown along lines now familiar to the public. He pointed ont it would be shown in evidence that the deceased young •R oman was accompapied to within a short distance of accused's house on the night of Monday, June 12th, and was then in good health and excellent spirits, and was found dead in the place early on the morning of Wednesday, June 14th. Death was due to septicaemia, the result of an illegal operation. The prelimitm.rv evidence led was 'to the same effect as previously. Mrs. Cruicfcsiank (sister of the deceased) and lier husband, D. 33. Cruickshank, gave evidence as to Miss Holland leaving their residence carrying a dress basket on the evening of June 12th, and taking a Do-minion-road car bound citywards. James Warner deposed to meeting the young woman by arrangement at the junction of Dominion-road and New ' North-road, and -taking the tram car to the Kingsland terminus. From there they went down Commercial-road towards the corner leading into First-avenue, and parted about 100 yards distant from accused's house. Witness said he did not see where Miss Holland went after ho left her, but she was walking in the direction of First-avenue. She had told him that evening where she was going, but it was only since the occurrence that li 6 knew where accused lived, and he had not previously seen her. Alfred Edward Williams, who has been boarding with Mrs. O'Shaughnessy off and on for five years past, repeated his former evidence as to being asked on the Monday morning to change his bedroom near the bathroom to one at the back of the house, and to hearing some moaning in the house on the .Tuesday night. The witness was still in the box when the "Star" went to press.

In connection with the joint charge against Mary Hassell, Charlotte Campbell, and Jas. Edward O'Shaughnessy, of bciri" accessories after the fact, to murder, Mr Justice Chapman refused to allow bail, pending the case being called on, and the three accused are in custody.

' prisoners for sentence. Mr. Justice Edwards will Hentencc the following prisoners 011 Wednesday mornino,:—James Cartier, alias Edward George Hansen, alias Johnson, breaking, entering, and theft (2), Taumarunui; "Ivor Thomas, false pretences, Hamilton; Henry Jurat*) Keynolds, false pretences, •Auckland; John Crake, breaking, enterin" and theft, Whakatane; Rahiri Wheoki, breaking, entering, and theft, ißawene.