CHARGE OF MURDER.

Northern Advocate, 10 March 1923, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER.

STATEMENTS OF ACCUSED.

ALLEGED ADOPTION OF BABY. WELLINGTON, This Day. The hearing of the charge against Daniel Richard Cooper and Martha Elizabeth Cooper of having murdered an infant was continued in the Magistrate's Court. Detective Harold said that when charged with the offence CJooper said that Miss Lister's child had been adopted by some person whose name he was pledged not to disclose. He stated that if lie was let out for a time he could find and produce the child. He afterwards asked witness to take charge of some correspondence, saying that without it the detective could do nothing. Witness took the correspondence and handed it over to Senior Detective Lewis. It had nonthing t'o do with this case. Cooper said lie. was too fond of children to see them come to any harm.

Inspector Mcllveney stated that when he asked him as to the whereabouts of Miss Lister's child Cooper refused to explain.

After hearing further police evidence the Court adjourned till this morning.—Press Assn.

HOUSEMAID GIVES EVIDENCE. WELLINGTON, This Day. When the Court sat to-day Beatrice Irene Beadle, a housemaid, said she met Cooper in Duncdin about four years ago. Later she went to live at Cooper's place at Island Bay and, with .the knowledge of Mrs Cooper, was familiar with him, Mrs Cooper saying she had no objection. Witness had a child in Lyttelton in 1920. The child was left at Christchurch, Cooper saying he would pay for it. The child wan later brought back to Wellington and then Cooper said he had made arrangements with someone to adopt it. Witness said she went away for an hotir and on her return wa* told that the people had called, that she was not to worry as it was quite all right, and that the best thing had been done in the circumstances. Since then she had not seen the baby.—Press Assn.