THE LAMP-THROWING CASE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 19

THE LAMP-THROWING CASE.

The charge of murder of the woman Louie Smith, preferred against Andrew and Joseph Kennedy, Robert Gawn and Joseph Jewitt, was further investigated in the Magistrate's Court on Friday, before Mr Martin, S.M. Sergeant-Ma jor Ramsay prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr Wilford appeared for the accused.

The evidence of the Chinaman Gee Chung was taken, and the charge against Gawn was withdrawn, and Gawn was discharged. He was then called as a witness, and the evidence given by him at the inquest was put in. For the defence Andrew Kennedy, one of the accused, was sworn, and, in reply to Mr Wilford, said when he went into Gee Chung's house he saw Robert Wilson, two Chinamen and Louie Smith lying on an opium bed. He struck Wilson and told him to come out, and a struggle ensued between them. He threw Wilson down and believed he hit him two or three times while on the ground. He tried to drag Wilson out of the house, when he heard the globe of a lamp break, and on turning round saw Jewitt with a lamp in his hand. He did not see the lamp thrown, but while he still had hold of Wilson he heard it crash against the wall. Wilson said the girl was on fire, and witness got hold of her and put the flames out. He did not throw any lamp at the woman. The accused Joseph Kennedy was also sworn, and positively denied that he or his brother threw the lamp. He heard it crash, but did not see who threw it.

The accused Joseph Jewitt reserved his defence,

His Worship discharged Joseph Kennedy, and committed the other two accused for trial. Bail was refused in Jewitt's case, and Andrew Kennedy was admitted to bail in two suretios of £75 each, and a personal bond of a similar amount.