CRIMINAL SITTINGS

Evening Star, Issue 21639, 7 February 1934, Page 12

CRIMINAL SITTINGS

ACCIDENTAL DEATH IN HOSPITAL EX-MATRON ACQUITTED [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 6. A verdict of not guilty was given in the case against Edith Laura Francis, a nurse, who was formerly matron of the Kaikonra Hospital, and who was charged with manslaughter m that, being in charge of a patient, she did not take sufficient care with the result that her alleged neglect led to the death of the patient on October 21 when Mrs Lilian llhoda James, a maternity patient, died after an enema had been given by the accused, who was relieving the maternity nurse ordinarily in charge of the ward. The patient collapsed and died, and it was discovered that the basin used by the accused in giving the enema had contained carbouc acid left m a cupboard the maternity nurse. The facts were not ilisputed, and no evidence was called for the defence. Mr W. 11. Lascelles, counsel for the accused, pleaded that the Grown had failed to prove culpable negligence. The accused had been under the impressio that she was handling an innocent solution, and there was no reason why she should have expected it to be otherwise. The law required reasonable caution and care, not the utmost caution. The jury gave its verdict of not guilty after thirty-five • minutes’ retirement. VOLUNTARY ADMISSION OF BIGAMY. AUCKLAND, February G., Having previously pleaded guilty at Rotorua to charges of bigamy, Evelyn Cecilia Armstrong, aged twenty-nine years (Mr Fraer) appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Smith. In asking for leniency Mr Fraer said that about twelve mouths ago the prisoner had consulted him regarding a suggested divorce from her husband, who was -stated to have deserted her and their two children and failed to provide them with maintenance. Divorce proceedings were instituted last July, and a decree nisi was granted in November, but it had not yet been made absolute. The prisoner had been in ill-health, and was worried, and foolishly entered into an illegal marriage last June, but after the ceremony she realised the seriousness of her act, and made a confession to the police. His Honour told the prisoner that the offence was a very serious one, but the fact that she had made a voluntary confession was in her favour. The prisoner was admitted to probation for three years, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution. UNUSUAL THEFT CASE. WELLINGTON, February 6. After a short retirement the jury in tiie Supreme Court to-day returned a verdict of guilty in the case of Horace John Algar, who was charged before Mr Justice Ostler.with the theft of £143 3s 6d. He was remanded for sentence. When the jury had returned with its verdict His Honour remarked to the accused's counsel (Mr Hardie Boys): “ 1 congratulate you on the defence you made, but I think you had a rather hopeless case.” The Crown Prosecutor stated that the accused and three other men were in partnership, trading under the name of the Collie Carrying Company. The accused, who was manager, had cashed a cheque milde out to the firm and had booked his passage to Sydney under an assumed name. He was arrested there. Mr Hardie Boys said that the accused had not stolen the money. The money belonged to him, and he had adopted a procedure which might seem rather extraordinary to make sure that he was not done out of it.