SUPREME COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1910, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

» CRIMINAL SF.SSIONS. FINGER-PRINT EVIDENCE. After The Post went to press yes-tar--day the trial of Martin William Tier, on four separate charges of breaking and entering, was continued before his Honour the Chief Justice and a common jury. Mr. Myers prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The accused 'was defended by Mr. Herdman. Edwin Dinnie, finger-print expert, in cross-examination by Mr. Herdman, maintained that it was impossible for a mistake to be made. He admitted that it had not been demonstrated as a scientific fact that no two finger-prints were alike, for the very good reason that the finger-print of every person in the world, would frrst have to be taken. The fact remained that up to the present no two finger-prints alike had been found. Mr. Herdman. asked the jury to acquit his client in the absence of any evidence corroborating that of the finger-print expert. His Honour, in summing up, said accused had a right to rebut "the presumption" of the finger-print. Accused could have called evidence to show where he was on the night the alleged offences occurred. Accused could have called evidence to show where he got the goods found in his possession. The jury, after a short retirement, returned a- verdict of guilty. Accused pleaded guilty to two additional charges of breaking and entering the premises of J. E. Lindberg, draper, Cuba-street, and E. Pearce and Co., bootmakers, Cuba-street, and stealing therefrom various articles. A SERIOUS CHARGE. Ralph Balcombe was charged -with a serious offence on a little girl undsr four years of age. The jury acquitted the accused. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The criminal sessions were continued to-day before the Chief Justice. THE CASE OF AN EX-CONSTABLE. William Patrick M'Dermott, found guilty of a series of forgeries, was put forward for sentence. Mr. Webb, who appeared for the pris-, soner, stated that M'Dermott had held good positions in New South Wales, but he had many family troubles, and unfortunately he yielded to temptation. He came to New Zealand to try and reestablish himself, but the finger of accusation was pointed at him, and he was hunted out of positions in the police force and tho railway service. His Honour said he migTit have -yielded to the appeal of counsel had prisoner not been guilty of previous forgeries. Further, he had gone into the box and committed deliberate perjury, and / had induced another man to do the same. That showed he had a criminal instinct. He would be sentenced to three years' imprisonment on each charge, sentences to run concurrently.