ALLEGED MURDER
MOUAT BEFORE THE COURT.
Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, * May H In the case in which Mouat is -charged with the murder of eis wile, evidence v as given to-day us to Mr oat's move:-cuts after his wife’s disappearance on February 20th, and us to mes having been burning in the house aiid garden. Tho police detailed the finding of hones among the ashes. Alexander Augustus Bickerton. analyst, gave evidence that h© hud examined the waste pipe (produced) and had found that it showed coloured matter. He had also examined pieces of blanket and two tests showed a reaction for blood. On March 24 ho went to Mouat’s house and took a piece of coloured matter from the edge of tho bath. This gave a distinct test for blood. ITo’ did not say that human blood was shown —there were not sufficient grounds to work on. He did not protend to express any opinion ae to the age of the blood on the pipe, but on tho sheet it seemed to bo a recent stain. Mr Bickertoin was cross-examined as to hie tests for blood and their reliability. In reply to His Honour, Mr Sim (for the defence) said he did not say whether one authority or another was right, but tho case for the defence was that tho authorities were in a state of chaos. The case for the. Crown lias now closed and the defence will be taken to-morow. The jurymen engaged in the Mouat trial, this afternoon, at the request of Mr C. S. Thomas, leading counsel for tho defence, visited Mouat’s bungalow in Beckford road and saw for themselves the ash heap in which human bones were found and also tho dining-room fireplace, which has taken an important place in tho case for the prosecution. Special interest centred ill the dining-room, where the fireplace came in for some attention. Measurements were taken and (he Registrar explained the various points of interest attaching to the different rooms. Some tinife whs spent in the grounds round the bungalow, v.’here tho jurymen made observations for themselves.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 138, 15 May 1925, Page 9
Word Count
348ALLEGED MURDER Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 138, 15 May 1925, Page 9
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