MURDER CHARGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 August 1924, Page 9

MURDER CHARGE.

y BARNES CASE PROCEEDING. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 6. The Barnes murder trial was continued to-day. Mrs Whall said she went to Palmerston with Barnes, and there met Whall, who threatened that if she did not, return to him he would throw himself under a train. She went to Auckland with him, and there lie thrashed her. His Honor asked what this evidence .had to do with the crime alleged. Was it given as the motive of the crime ? The Crown Prosecutor: This is an attempt to get the sympathy of the jury and blacken the character of a man who was dead and not here to answer. The evidence was continued on these lines, counsel for accused stating that he was endeavouring to refute the suggestion that Whall was fighting for his wife. His Honor said it seemed an extraordinary way of doing it. He would not stop the evidence going to the jury, but the procedure was most improper. Counsel is now addressing the jury. In the murder charge against Barnes at the Supreme Court to-day, the evidence of a bacteriologist in Auckland was read. It detailed the finding of human blood on accused’s coat, towel, and apron. After Detective Jerrold had been recalled the Crown case was closed. Counsel for the defence asked the Judge to direct that Mrs. Whall, wife of the man killed, should be called, as she was a material witness, but his Honor declined Counsel said in that case he. would lose the right to reply. After counsel’s opening, he nut Mrs. Whall in the witness-box. She said that she first emt Barnes in February, 1623, when she was living apart from her husband and earning her own living. The trial is proceeding.