KNIFING CASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1936, Page 13

KNIFING CASE

SENTENCE DEFERRED

APPEAL TO BE MADE

v Application to the Judge to reserve I for the opinion of the Court of Appeal questions of law as to whether there had been improper admission of evidence adduced by the prosecution, was made by Mr. M. Neal in the Supreme •• Court today, when James Logie ap- - .'• peared for sentence on charges of wounding with, intent to do grievous ■ bodily harm, and assault so as to ■-cause actual bodily harm. The charges ■•related to the sensational knife at-. -. tacks made on Charles Crooke in the "••' Columbia Hotel on January 9 and in Lambton Quay on January 10. The first question raised by Mr. Neal related to the admission of evidence of a witness named Taylor, a taxi driver, as to Logie throwing stones at two men not, in his submission, in J any way appearing to be connected with the victim. The second question related, to the admission of evidence of the same witness as to the same two men "taking a jack handle or •■ something out of the back of the car." It was contended by Mr. Meal that r. this evidence could only have been ~ tendered to prejudice the jury. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. P. S. K K Macassey) strongly denied that there had been any attempt to prejudice the jury, and contended that the evidence was clearly admissible. In refusing the application, Mr. Jus- • tice Smith said it seemed to him that the Crown was justified in showing the prisoner's course of conduct at that particular time. Mr. Neal then asked for leave to appeal against his Honour's ruling to the Court of Appeal. His Honour . granted this application and deferred sentence pending the hearing,1 which will probably take place early next ' month. , : On the application of Mr. Neal the .. prisoner was again admitted to bail.