THE LAMP-THROWING CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2543, 22 June 1895, Page 4

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 tbo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr Martin, S.M. Sergeant-Major Ramsay prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr Wilford appeared for tho accused. The evidence of the Chinaman Qeo Chung was taken, and tho charge against Gawn was withdrawn, and Gawn was discharged. Ho was then called aa a witness, and tho evidence given by hixii* 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 ho went into Geo Chung’s house he saw Robert Wilson, two Chinamen and Louie Smith lying on an opium bed. Ho stiaxck Wilson and told him to come out, and a struggle ensued between them. He threw, W.Uson down and believed he hit him two or throe times while on the gi’ound. He tried to drag Wilson out of tho house, when ho hoax’d the glob© of a lamp break, and oxx 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 tho wall. Wilson said the girl was on fire, and witness got hold of her and put the flames out. Ho did not tbix>w any lamp at tho woman. The accused Joseph Kennedy was also sworn, and positively denied that ho or his brother threw tho lamp. ,Ho heard it crash, but did not see who threw it. Tho accused Joseph Jewitt x'oservod hia 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 sureties of X 75 each, and a personal bond of a similar amount.