CHRISTCHURCH CRIMINAL SESSION.

Evening Star, Issue 7186, 14 April 1887, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH CRIMINAL SESSION.

The cases against Mrs Bowern, Isabella Wilson, and Dr Russell were resumed to-day at the Supreme Court, which was again crowded. Mr Joynt, for Russell, said that the latter withdrew his former plea of not guilty, and now pleaded guilty in tho case of Annie Connolly. Mr Stringer appeared for tho women, who pleaded not guilty. Elizabeth North deposed that about seven months ago Mrs Bowern showed her a letter from Dr Russell, who declined to perform an operation on her. She said that she would compel him to do so. The same evening she told witness that he had again refused, and that she had threatened to report what had occurred to her and to her servant (Annie Connolly). She said it had been done to save her brother, but that her sister knew nothing about it.

Margaret Lynch, who had been a domestic servant in the employ of Mrs Bovvorn, repeated a conversation she had had with the latter.

Annie Oonnqlly detailed what occurred when she was taken to Dr Russell’s by the prisoners. Miss Wilson gave the doctor ten guineas on their first visit, but witness wont there by herself on the second occasion. Mr Stringer called no witnesses, and in addressing the jury contended that the evidence was unsatisfactory as to Mrs Boworn having counselled and assisted Connolly to have the operation performed. Connolly’s evidence was that of an accomplice, and should be received with a certain amount of suspicion, and was not materially corroborative. Mrs Bowern’s idea in suggesting that the girl should go to Mr Russell might have been that she should go to ascertain whether she was in the family-way or not. The evidence of Mary Lynch also seemed improbable, for it could hardly be supposed that persons would talk of so important a matter with a servant who had only been two or three weeks in the house. There was nothing to show that Miss Wilson knew that the girl was aware of the criminal intention of Connolly in going to Dr Russell, or that she took any part in persuading her to commit a criminal action. Mr Justice Johnston said ho had considerable doubt whether there was sufficient evidence to go to the jury against Wilson. If she accompanied Connolly to Dr Russell’s knowing for what purpose she was going, could it be said that that was the act of an accessory, or that she was going to assist ? Mr Martin said that the evidence proved she knew all along. Mr Justice Johnston said there was no direct evidence that the prisoner had influenced the mind of the girl Connolly to have an operation performed; it could not be said that she had procured, commanded, or counselled the illegal act. He would consider whether he would direct the jury after the adjournment. Isabella Wilson was acquitted, Mrs Bowern was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months’hard labor, and Dr Russell to seven years’ ponal servitude.