THE DRAKE CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4820, 25 November 1902, Page 6

THE DRAKE CASE.

PRISONER REMANDED IN. CUSTODY. At tho criminal sessions yesterday, Harriet Drake, who was convicted at last sessions of tho manslaughter of her eigh(>year-old daughter Dorothy, at Otaki, on tho 26th June, and in whoso case sentence was deferred, surrendered to her recognisances and camo up for sentence. Tho culprit, who was heavily veiled, onterpd tho Court leaning on hor husband’s arm, and then took her place in. the dock. There was a large attendance of women in tho gallery. Mr Gray represented the Crown, and Mr Skerrett appeared on tho prisoner’s behalf. ■ - Mr Justice Denniston said ho understood it had boon intimated to counsel on both sides that it was thought desirable that sentence should ■bo passed ty tho Judge wild tried the case (Mr Justine Edwards), and ho, therefore, purposed remanding the prisoner until such time as it was certain tho Judge who presided at tho trial would bo home. He would remand tho prisoner until the 9th December. Mr Skerrett applied to have bail extended in tho meantime owing to tho prisoner’s family being so young—tho youngest child being only two years old and tho one next three years—and the difficulty of getting a suitable-person to look after those children. Ho pointed out that it was not through any fault of his client that Mr Justice Edwards was aw'ay. Air Justice Denniston said tho caso was a very serious one. and ho assumed it would not be a proper thing for him to comment on it. Ho had had an opportunity of consulting with other Judges —including tho Judge who presided at tho trial'—and they did not think it would he a proper thing to grant bail to a person who had been convicted on such a serious charge. Tho prisoner would, therefore, be remanded in custody until the 9th December. Airs Drake was then removed in custody to the Terraco Gaol.