SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 42, 20 February 1903, Page 1

SUPREME COURT SITTINGS.

THE WAIPAWA MURDER CASE.

SEVEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. Press Association. Electric Telegraph, Copyright. Napier, February 19. At the Supreme Court to-day the case against T. P. Moore for the murder of Lottie Anceli was concluded. Evidence was adduced that the young woman Martin, in conversation within a day or two of the death of Miss Anceli, had stated that the latter bad been in communication with Moore prior to going to Waipawa. His Honor, in summing up, said it was common ground both to the prosecution and the defence that the girl did not die from the use of instruments by herself. Whatever was the cause of death it occurred at Waipawa. It could not be suggested the girl had died from anything else but what had taken place at Waipawa. From that point of view the case was relieved entirely of difficulty. The evidence of Dr Pyte showed most ciearly that the canine of death was either air embolism, as alleged by the Crown, or the convulsions, which occurred at Moore's shop at Waipawa. The jury retired at 3.25 p.m., and at 5.15 asked for instructions from Bis Honor. They asked: If Lottie Anceli did anything to herself that would not have killed her, and if the prisoner did something further which, coupled with what she herself had done, did kill her» should they bring in the same verdict as if she had done nothing to herself ? His Honor said the jury's verdict in that case must be the same. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter with a recommendation to mercy, the jury being of opinion that deceased migho have tampered with herself prior to Waving NapierA sentence of seven years hard labor ■ was passed. The Crown Prosecutor said the Crown had not yet decided as to what would be done with regard to the other charges against Moore, but probably they would not be proceeded with. Further, he asked that the charges against the accused Mary Ann Mills be allowed to stand over until next session. 1 This was agreed to, snbstaetial sureties being demanded.