EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 119, 18 May 1909, Page 8

EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN.

[PBESS ASSOCIATION.! CHIUSTCHURCH, May 18. In the Connelly case yesterday the Crown Prosecutor said that the prisoner haying confessed his guilt the only possible defence was that the confession was untrue, but he would* lead strong evidence pointing to Connelly as the man. Johanna Phillips said that she nad 'seen a short man and a tall'man, .who limped, go towards MacLaughlin s shed, whence she heard sounds as of someone falling and someone groaning. She saw neither come out. Cross-examined closely as _to why she had not come forward earlier with this evidence, the witness stated that she^was in ill-health, and was, afraid that she would be unable to go through the trial. She denied being offered £15 or any money if* she gf^ve evidence. x

, Hugh Duncan and Constable Keenan gave evidence regarding the finding of the body. The statement of the firstnamed regarding the finding of footmarks leading from the middle of the shed to the gate at the back was dis 7 counted by the cross-examination of Keenan^ who stated that he and another constable made a careful search before Duncan was on the scene, ' nd s«,w.no footmarks.

Keenan, in cross-examination, also stated that he was accosted by a man when he was taking Connelly to gaol $or having broken a window. The man asked him to let Connelly go, as jiis steamei; was • leaving at. 2] o'clock in the- morning. This man, the witness .afterwards Teamed, -was -Hallinen.