CRIMINAL SITTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 19637, 17 August 1927, Page 3

CRIMINAL SITTINGS

DEMENTED MOTHER'S DEED (Ter United Press Association..) CHRISTCHURCH, August 10. Ellen Robinson, a married woman, drowned her infant sou in a creek at Hook, South Canterbury, on August 1, 11)2(3. She was charged in the Supreme Court to-day with murder. jyJr Donnelly (Crown Prosecutor) said the woman had taken her four children to a creek near her home, and there had drowned the baby. Since then she had been in a mental hospital, and it was clear from the evidence that at the time she drowned her child she was not responsible for her actions. There was no doubt that she was insane at the time. On this point the jury would accept the evidence of .the doctor, and find her not guilty' on tho, ground of insanity. Dr MHvillop, superintendent of Sunnyside Mental Hospital, said Mis Robinson was admitted to the institution two days after the tragedy; and site was then certainly not responsible for her actions. His Honor directed the jury to acquit, and the jury formally returned a verdict accordingly. James Ignatius O’Connell, amidcllenged man, pleaded guilty to a charge of having indecently assaulted a child in April last. The prisoner was remanded until Ihursday ior sentence. A pica of not guilty was offered by William Kitsou, commission agent, Wellington, who was charged with making a bet with Alfred Vivian Whitta, bookmaker, of Christchurch, on March 10. Kitsou was one of the many prosecuted alter a raid on Whitta’s premises a. few days after March 10; but Kitsou elected to ho tried by jury. Whitta. was convicted of the offence of hookmaking on March 16. ~ , The Crown Prosecutor said that as the result of the raid on Whitta’s premises a telegraphed bet from Kitsou to Whitta, asking for a double in^ tho Wellington rac.es. was traced. When interviewed in Wellington by a detective, Kitsou. had admitted the offence, and had said Hint he would plead guilty- However, ho bad changed his mind. Whitta had not sent lo Kitsou the usual confirmation of tho bet, although tho bet. was bonked, hut it. was clear that an attempt to bet had been made by Kitson.

Air f. S. Thomas, counsel for accused, said that, on March IB Whitta had not been proved to have been a bookmaker.

“ It is a. rase in which you should exercise common sense,” said the judge, addressing the jury. Having retired at 11.00 a in., the jury returned at 2.2(1 p.m. with a verdict of not guilty of making a. hot, hut guilty of an attempt to do so.

The frown Prosecutor informed Ill’s Honor that Kit son had never previously been convicted, but it appeared that lie bad been Whit tabs Wellington agent. Kitsou was nned -C'iO,. in default six weeks’ imprisonment.