HEAVY LISTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29342, 22 October 1960, Page 4

HEAVY LISTS

20 Persons For Trial

Twenty trials are set down for hearing at the quarterly criminal sessions to start in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Nineteen men and one woman are to stand trial: The Sheriff (Mr J. L. W. Gerken) has called jurors for six weeks but it is probable that extra jurors will be called later as the criminal session may extend into the seventh week.

A week has been set aside, from October 31, for the trial of a man on a charge of murder. The hearing of a charge against a woman of assault on a girl causing actual bodily harm is expected to occupy another week. Other charges laid against persons listed to stand trial include receiving, negligent driving causing death (3), intoxicated driving causing death, negligent driving causing injury, causing actual bodily harm by a negligent act indecent assault (2), indecent acts, theft (2), shopbreaking, housebreaking. attempted false pretences (2), and unlawful carnal knowledge. Mr Justice Richmond will preside at the opening of the sessions. It is expected that Mr Justice Macarthur will preside at the murder trial. Civil Sessions

Fifty-six cases are set down for hearing before a judge and jury, at the quarterly civil sessions. A case to be before a judge and jury of four is also listed.

Actions to be heard before a judge alone total 31, and 35 divorce proceedings to be heard before a judge alone are also listed.

Supreme Court sessions at Blenheim, Nelson and Greymouth have also to be presided over by the two judges resident in Christchurch in November and December.

Because of this and the heavy list of criminal trials in Christchurch, few, if any, civil jury cases will be heard. Some judge alone actions will be heard.