The Hayae Case

NZ Truth, Issue 850, 4 March 1922, Page 6

The Hayae Case

Jury Again Disagree — Th*ird Trial | Ordered. James Reynold Hayne, the subject of charges of manslaughter and abortion, whose case wad heard at the Christchurch Supreme Court last week, when, after a lengthy retirement, the jury failed to agree, appeared for retrial early this week, with a similar result, the jury, after four hours' retirement, announcing that it was impossible to arrive at a decision as to Hayne's guilt or innocence. The evidence given at the retrial was, m the main, on the same lines as that published m "Truth" last week. The Crown, however, introduced certain fresh evidence attaching to the handwriting of •the address on • the lettercard written ■by the woman whose death it was alleged HajTie caused. Experts wlio gave evidence for the Crown ' expressed the opinion that the card m Question was addressed m the handwriting of a Miss Wilson, although the writing on the inside of the card was that of the deceased woman. Grace Wilson, who was called, by the Crown, said she was a dressmaker •living at Timaru and had gone to Hayne's place m Dunedin to do some sewing for a lady there. She was there about three weeks, and slept on the premises. She remembered the deceased woman's brother (Hilton) coming into Hayne's shop, but at that time there was no visitor there. Replying to the Crown Prosecutor, witness said she ■ did not remember whether she addressed the letter-card, neither could she remember addressing anything while at Hayne's. ' It might, have been possible, although hardly likely, that anyone would be oh Hayne's premises without her knowledge. The jury retired at 5.25 p.m. and returned at 9.40 p.m., the foreman announcing that there was no possibility of an agreement. The Crown's application for a new trial was granted, the date being fixed for May 9. Bail was allowed as previously.