SUPREME COURT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 14 March 1939, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

CHARGES OF MURDER ARTHUR FREDERICK KERR ON TRIAL HIS HONOUR’S ADDRESS TO GRAND JURY REFERENCE TO QUESTION OF INSANITY Four criminal charges, including two j of murder against one person were set j down for hearing in the Supreme j Court, Nelson sessions, which commenc- j pd this morning, presided oved by His j Honour Mr Justice Reed. THE GRAND JURY The following Grand Jury was em- i panelled: —L. J. Cantwell. K. M. Black, j H. J. Robertson, G. P. Chapman. K. S. I Farmer. C. Kershaw, E. O. Baigent, W. A. McCallum, E. B. Jackson. G. Manson. H. W. Chisnall, E. Karsten, G. M. Rout. R. B. Beattie. A. L. Stokes. K. G. Lucas. S. Cannington. F. H. Gorrie. H. C. Harley. F. W. Huggins. S. C. Collier. W. P. Cooke, A. Robinson. Mr G. Manson was chosen foreman. His Honour in his cnarge to the Grand Jury, referred to the two indictments against accused, Arthur Frederick Kerr, of alleged murder, and traced the incidents at Uruwhenua. The indications of the behaviour of the accused at the time pointed to the fact that the defence in this case would be insanity. With that the Grand Jury had nothing to do. Every person was considered to be sane until the contrary was proved. If the Jury were satisfied that the act of the accused was responsible for the death of the two people then they should find true bills The evidence all pointed the one way and the Grand Jury's task was comparatively simple. The other indictment was of indecent assault, and in this it was quite clear that a true bill should be returned. The Grand Jury found true bills in each case and were discharged