CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11540, 27 November 1900, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER.

[BY TELEGRAM.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Monday. At the Supreme Court Mary Henderson, a woman of middle age, was charged with the murder of Mary Alice Winifred Luke, at Wellington on August 28, by the performance of an illegal operation Mr. Bell prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The prisoner, who pleaded not guilty in a strong voice, was defended by Mr. Wilford. The case is the outcome of the finding of the coroner's jury which inquired into the circumstances surrounding the girl's death, her depositions, which incriminated the accused, having been taken prior to her demise. After certain evidence had been tendered concerning the depositions, Mr. Wilford argued that the prisoner had not been given sufficient notice of the intention to take these depositions. Moreover, the. caption, or title of the depositions, was not in the form prescribed by statute, neither the day, place, time, nor year of the taking of the depositions being stated. ivir. Justice Edwards saicil it seemed to him plain that notice of the intention to take depositions was not served upon the prisoner in the way required. The Crown Prosecutor then stated that under the circumstances he would not tender the depositions. Evidence was given by Drs. Anson and Fytfe. The. Court adjourned at five p.m. till the morning, when Dr. l-'vlfe will • be cross-examined. Tim jury were locked up for the night. The case will probably last till Wednesday.