"DEATH PAYS ALL DEBTS"

NZ Truth, Issue 913, 26 May 1923, Page 5

"DEATH PAYS ALL DEBTS"

THE NEWLANDS HORROR COOPER TO HANG— WIFE AGQUIHED I "A CRUEL AND HEARTLESS MURDER" I

"Daniel Richard Cooper, prisoner at the bar, have you anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon you?" These dread words were uttered by the Sheriff m the Wellington Supreme Court on Tuesday, when the jury's .verdict of wilful murder had been returned against the male accused and the female had been acquitted, "lam innocent, sir/ he uttered m a choking voice. "I can hardly believe now this is McLeod's child." A solemn proclamation followed, the usual formula uttered by the . . Court crier on these awful ooeaslons. In the hushed Court, his Honpr Mr. Justice Chapman then addressed the prisoner m the following unequivocal terms: "It is not necessary that I should 1 cay more than a vary few words, because your crime In the eyes . ;,' of the pgbile speaks for itself. I have, unfortunately, had to pass . v. ->;■■:.:. een^fncK| upon seVeral men for the^prlme of murder, but I have "'r..>vr.'.^> v^f^iwown so'iwu^f and heartless a murder as this." With hie I usually rubiound fame as white as^a sheet, his Honor bent for the biaokcap^«nd'<loon4og;^t with shaking hands passed the death . ■;. ■■' aentene*. ';' ' ; ■ ' ■ ■ ■ •

"When the- . Court resumed for the fifth day wltli the Crown's evi•dence still v a long way from an • end, the first -witness called was Detective McLeniian, who read, a : statement made by Cooper to the police: that he had left Miss Lls- ; tor's baby at Johnsonville m the arms ; ol a woman he, didn't know, and that .' lie had never seen the woman or tho i baby since. Witness also read Mrs. 1 Cooper's 1 statement to the effect that ; .she had handed the baby over to the i occupants of a -waiting motor car, " ."which her husband had told her to i «3cpect. !,,- In reply to Mr. Wilford, witness said • that before any bodies had been dls- ' covered at NewUoids Misses , Lister, MdLeod and Beadle had convinced . him that the children wbre adopted. No donbt Cooper convinced these three women that their children word -to-be adopted? — No doubt. i Do you believe he bad enough influ- '■ vence over Mrs. Cooper to convince her 1 (that the children were being- adopted? ; V--I can't, say. Do you know he had v CONVINCED THRE^I WOMEN, .- •who were, m comparison to his wife, (Strangers to him? — Yes.! • Do you think, then, that he had that over his wife?— l can't say. Mr. Wilford: Of course, you can't. It Is a matter that only Mrs. Cooper can speak on, but if a woman has an affection for >a man Mr. Macassey: You can't put .that (Question, Mr. Wilford. His Honor; Is this a question m } psychology? / , Mi*. Wiifbrd (alterng his question) : I Did you define any difference m the of Mrs. Cooper m relation to I this case after the bodies had been 1 found?-*- Witness said he did not notice •any. That is to say you did not appreciate *ny change. It might have been there without your knowing it? — Witness admitted' it might have been, but he didn't notice it. ' ■ „ Did she seem, on your first Jnter- \ view with her, frightened and terribly \ distressed but holding herself under 'n strong control? — She did seem diav tressed and undecided what to do. ■ , She is a little thing, about 6st 71b, , and a policeman standing over her would make her frlgbtened?-r-I , don't i.'know. •:■■ . " When you told her you were a police y officer did she seeni upset? — I didn't notice, but she seemed undecided. , As if she Was wondering- what to ! say?— Teal- '■ ■' '•! ' Because her husband ivas In gaol ? — He was m custody theni i When, she' said,' "l hajye nothing to . say," did ahe'speak slowly, hesitatingly, \ and like an automaton? — She looked i as if she \vus, prepared for us coming i there. .'.. : • Like a little woman, Who was wondering whethen she might Bay some.C£lng that the police could twist ( gainst her husband who was m gaol? • — You might put it that way. Tg fur- • ther questions, Witness said that the [ woman was asked three times if she I had anything to say. ! ■ And your superior ofllcer tried his not altogether apprentice hand?;— He asked her one question. Referring to the statement Mrs. Cooper did eventually make to ' the effect that .she had handed the baby > over to the occupants of] a motor car, \ Mr. Wilford asked: Was that a statement which, if believed, \ _, WOULD SAVE HER HUSBAND? ■ ' Mr. Macassey: I object to that ques- ■; tlon, your Honor. ! • His Honor: Yes, this witness is only ; a witness of facts. ,i Mr. Wilford:. I don't want to in- "| fringe, your Honor, but I have a great : responsibility. The next witness was Detective Hurold, to whom Cooper had handed Rome correspondence which he desired f him to conceal. This correspondence was handed to - Inspector. Mcllveney, and this officer related various interviews he had had with the .prisoners separately. Ha stated that when Lupi, face to face with Cooper, heard that the latter • had said He gave him tho baby at night tv Nowlandß, Lupi said-; "You're, mad. You must ,haye hair on. your cony- science." t r< '' , r. Detective vNuttall, who accompanied [iPotectlve McLennan to Newlands when ■feho female was interviewed, said Mrs. was quite calm, and eventually ■fmnde the statement previously reF| t erred to. Li Mr. Wtlford: How many times after I ■ Oilnklng and hesitating did she say, ••I have nothing to nay? — Over a , dozen. Well, there was a protty good batk.' tcry put on to her? — There was no ? battery. \ ■■ ; How long were you thero? — About tliree-quartera'of an hour. Three-quarters of an hour's quosÜbning?— WltnoHS said thero were long periods of silence while they were waiting fov her to think it over. . .\\Voll. three-quarters of an hour of two policemen sitting Rlarlng at hor? '-—No. wo .lust waited for her to speak. What eventually made her break down juu> make a. statement? — Sho an Id site would toll us the truth. : Would that statement, If believed, hmj tho effect of taking the blame /tort her huaband? ■* Mr. MacftHHey objoctcd, but after ' Bom*' discussion his Honor allowed the question. Witness said it might bo taken to moan that sho had taken the responsibility of handing over the child on !to herself. The following day sho • asked to withdraw it. '- Mr. Mncassey: Mr. Wilford says you were glaring at her. Is that so? — Ob. Mr. Wllford is entitled- to his own opinion- 1 auppose. PoU'cMvp Jarrold deponed to having had a yarn with Cooper m the cell at t } lP police Station. Cooper said he was all right, but wanted to got out nf the col). WltnAs tola him ho would Jet out If he could t<!!l them where Lupl's child was. Ho replied! "That is tfo 9 trouble. I cannot tell them." Ho

said he couldn't give the names of the adopting parties, and witness suggested to him that Lupl had the child and didn't want his wife to know. Cooper said Lupi hadn't got it, and he Was afraid to say who had, as "one -little mistake WOULD SPOIL EVERYTHING." Eventually he said he had handed it to a man who was to give it to a married couple, but he could not divulge the name. Witness told him the following day was NeW Year's Day and the man might be going but of town. Cooper said he didn't think so, and If he could get out all would be well. He wouldn't mind a couple of policemen following him if he did. Witness said he didn't think this could be arranged and Cooper then promised to tell the whole story later. Mr. Treadwell: Was the object of accused m suggesting that two detectives could follow him that he couldn't get away? — That is so. Senior Detective Lewis was called next and stated that Cooper called Mrs. King "a tto^when she denied having handed the baby over for adoption, as Cooper had, at first averred i she did. Cooper was admonished- to I be 'more careful of his language toI wards ra wpmani;};'W.itrießs then procieded with the iMng ; statement Cooper made to ,the police, to, the effect that |he arid Lupi handed the baby over to 1 unknown -people—a dark, Jewish-look-' ! ing woman was one of them — In a motor, ear at Newlands at night. The car had. WN and a number on. the back. ■'„:'■■■ The sordid life story of the uhfor-: tunate young woman Beatrice, Irene Beadle, Cooper's mistress for three year*, was laid bare when this girl was called m connection with the disappearance of her two - children,*.' of whom Cooper was the father, She first knew the accused pair m Dunedin, and at the end of 1919 came to Island Bay to live with. them. ■ ' Mr. Macassey: And while there did you have Intercourse with . CoopersYes. Did Mrs. Cooper know? — Yes.

Did yoU go out to Newlands? — Yes, m March, 1921. Were you there when the house was destroyed by fire? — Yes, that was m October, 1921. Mr. Treadwell: When Cooper Was m Lyttelton Cooper slept upstairs and you downstairs, did you not?— No, he never. Where did he sleep? — HE SLEPT WITH ME. A loud cry of "Silence!" was required to silence the women's gallery at this point. Are you sure? I have some instructions on this point. Are you perfectly sure? — Yes. Did you Hve with them m Timaru before coming up? — Yes. Whereabouts? — In Matilda Street. Did you live with them m Dunedin? — Witness said she did not then, though she knew them fairly well. You did a good deal of Cooper's correspondence m Wellington, did. you not?; — Witness said she did, and •In reply to further questions said Cooper^ was a poor writer and bad speller. Where did you first begin to sleep with Cpoper? — At Lyttelton. When was that ?-^ln June, 1920. Was that the first time you had had intercourse with Cooper? — No, Well, where did you? — At Island Bay. . Did you at Timaru? — T can't remember. , ; Mr. Wilford then rose to address some questions to the witness, and approaching her, spoke 1 m a very low voice, explaining to his Honor that he had certain questions to ask which he did not wish to give those m the gallery the edification of hearing. Witness m reply to these Questions said that when her first , child was ostensibly adopted she was crying In her room when she returned, and Mrs. Cooper, who had been at the pictures all the afternoon, came m and comforted her and said it was the best thing that could happen for the child- to be adopted. As far as witness knew Mrs. Cooper was out all that afternoon and had nothing to do with

Do you remember her saying, '% cannot imagine what is wrong with me, when I feel well and he says I am not"? — "Witness said she hadn't. Did you not think it was an extraordinary thing that you- should be there? — I never asked her and she n,ever told me. 1 Have you ever heard her protest that she' was well fitted ' for married life and there was no need for him to have anyone else? — No. "Why did he prefer you to her? — I dont know. Do you know that when HE PREFERRED YOU ■she used to cry iierself to sleep? — No. ■ ■ At this stage Mr. Treadwell Interrupted on behalf of his client. Cooper, he said, desired to hear the cross-ex--amlnatlori. His Honor: I thought you had concurred. .■...,,.. . ; Mr. Treadwell: I did, sir, but now my client wants to hear what is going on, ... His Honor: Well, then the crossexamination must proceed m the ordinary way. '. '].'.'■ > Mr. Will ord: I have no more questions, your Honor. , Other witnesses were Mrs. Ohlson, midwife, of -Lyttelton, and Mrs. Adams, of Christchurch, with whom the child was left The latter said she was unable for family reasons to keep it longer than a fortnight. Police evidence was also heard. The case was continued on Saturday morning, when evidence m regard to the second baby of the woman Beadle was adduced. : She stated that she became pregnant while living with the Coopers at Newlands and cohabiting with Cooper, and gave? birth to a female child on November 27, 1921, m a house m Cuba Street, where Mrs. King, at Cooper's instigation, nursed her. When the child" was 12 or 1,3 days old Cooper came to the house m the evening, accompanied by Effie Adams. Witness dressed the baby and they all went, with the exception of Mrs. King, to Newlands. Witness understood from Cooper that the child was to be adopted by people m Palmerstou; North. It would be m a good home, as the people were very well off. At that time Mrs. Cooper was away m Dunedin on a holiday. Mr. Macassey: Was Mrs. Cooper aware that you were pregnant before she went away? — Yes. On the way to Johnsonville did Cooper say what was. to be dope? — He said he wanted neither of us (Miss Adams and myself) to* go over the hill with him. Did you see anything of a motor car? — No, but Mr. Cooper told me the people who were ' TO ADOPT THE BABY would be waiting at the crib m a motor car. ' In reply to further questions, witness said she walked with the party after alighting from the train at Johnsonville to the foot of the hill on the way to Cooper's bouse at Newlands. Why did you stop there? — I wasn't well and couldn't walk over the hllL Cooper went on with Miss Adams and the baby. Did Miss Adams come back? — Yes. Did Cooper? — No. And you and Miss Adams went back to town? — Yes. Witness said she returned to Mrs. King's place. And was your baby well when you parted with it that night? — Perfectly well. Did you go out to stay with him at Newlands again? — Witness said she did not, but commenced work as a canvasser for Cooper m town. She carried on with that employment until May, 1922. She then went into domestic employment. Mj. Treadwell: So that there shall be no mock sentimentality about this, when you and Cooper and Mrs. Cooper arranged about your intimate relations with Cooper, you went on living m the house together without friction? — Yes. No doubt it happened frequently that when Cooper was at his office you were left alone m the house with Mrs. Cooper and the children? — Yes. And you were on terms of friendship with the members of the family?— Yes. And you never had a row all the time you were with them? — I can't say that. But nothing serious? — No. After the second child was born. Is it correct that you never had intercourse with Cooper again ?-r-Wltnes3 (after some hesitation): Must I answer that? I am afraid you must. — Witness: Well, then, I did. It only lasted for a month or some short period, though, did It not? — Yes. Mr. Wilford: Is the trail over the hill less frequented than the main road? — No. there are a lot of people go over tho hill on account of the short cut. In reply to further questions witness paid Cooper must have carried tho baby himself for some thno m order to roach his property, bponiiMe MJhs Adams returned so quickly. Mrs. Cooper was away then? — Yes. And there was no one In the house? —No. What- was he taking it there for? — To bo adopted. Perfect faith! Thon if the adopting parents had not arrived Cooper would have had to take care of a twelve days old baby himself?— Yes. This was yours and Cooper's child which was carried away that night. It was the child of a married man and a single girl that he carried away that night to Newlanda, where you knew THERE WAS NO WOMAN, and tho child was going to adopting parents? — Yes. Mrs. King and> Dr. Smyth both gave evidence regarding the birth of .this child, and Effle Adams was njfnln called. She stated that when Miss Boaille wns left silting at the foot of the hill she and Cooper went on up the hill an far as a fence about 600 yards further on. What did you do with the baby then? — I handed it to Mr. Cooper.

Had he got over the fence then?— Yea. What did Cooper say when you handed him the baby? — He said he could carry it the rest of the way and I was to go back to Miss Beadle. Did Cooper tell you what was going to become of the baby? — He said it was going- to be adopted. Mr. Wilford: That was the end of the road. where you handed the baby over tp Cooper, was -it not? — Yes. SO that it was only when he came to the fields that he took over the baby?— Yes. So that while there was any road he did not take possession of the baby? — That is so. Have you any idea why Miss Beadle accompanied you? — No. Or walked even the distance she did from the railway station ?p- No. Misa Beadle has told us that she believed Cooper when he told her he was going to have the child adopted. Miss McLeod has told us the same thing, and so has Miss Lister. Did you believe Cooper when he told you the child was going to be adopted? — Yes, certainly. Detective McLennan, under crossexamination by Mr. Treadwell, stated that Cooper's property was searched exhaustively, as well as the track leading to it over the hill, and any likely places where a body might have been concealed. Spears similar to those Used by kauri gum diggers m the far North were used. Police evidence was also taken, and as had been done In all instances, evidence of a formal nature was taken to prove that no registration of adoptions had been made. On Monday morning the presentation of the Crown's case was concluded, and packed galleries listened attentively to the evidence. Cooper, who had looked markedly worried and perturbed throughout, appeared looking even more cheerless than before. Be continued to follow the evidence closely, listening with a hand behind his left ear— his usual pose. Mrs. Copper had shown OCCASIONAL. SIGNS OF AGITATION, but on. the whole was very much cheerier-looking than her lugubrious husband. Detective Nuttall, cross-examined by Mr. Hanna, said it was found necessary, m order to make a thorough, investigation, to remove all the top soil round the house. • Did ydu find where a ham was buried? — No, I don't know about any ham. We found a white rabbit. Wtttness further stated that two empty holes were found m the garden between the time Cooper was locked up and subsequent investigations. The spade had been shifted from the, place it was first seen. Mrs. Cooper' was at liberty during this period. Detective Jarrold said the ham was found at the back of a store some distance down the road. Mr. Macassey: How old was the rabbit?— Not more than a week. Mr. Wilford: You might go down tp the wharf and ask Mr. Joyner, who works down there, whether he burled the rabbit the Sunday previously for Mrs. Cooper. — Yes, sir, and shall I bring him back? Mr. Wiiford: Oh, whether you call him or not depends on yourself. I haye given you a lead. Samuel Goulder said he had negotiated with Cooper for the purchase of a section next to his house instead of one witness had agreed to purchase further away, but Cooper had declined to let him have it. Witness stayed m the building used as a store for some three nights, and while there Cooper declared witness had stolen the key ■ from underneath the building m order to get m. Witness and Cooper had a row over the matter and witness left the following day. Mr. Macassey: Did you ever bury any babies there? — No, I have some babies of my own, and I think too much of them for that. How did he take you down? — Witness said Copper had not shown him the section properly, and he changed his mind the following day. Andiyou had some grievance against Cooper?— No, . but we had a bit of a row when I' wanted the section near the house and he wouldn't let me have it His Honor Interrupted to say that the witness was called to prove that he hadn't buried any babies, and Jt waa profitless to continue the examination on other lines. The witness, who had assumed AN ATTITUDE OF TRUCULENCE after declaring that if he had had anything against Cooper he would have had it out with his fists as he "would with anyone, even m this Court," now turned with supreme defiance: "Come on, Mr. Wilford." he challenged, "I'll have a go at you if you like." His Honor: You get out now. You're not wanted. \ Loud laughter followed the witness j from the Court. As he walked forth he appeared just a trifle undecided as to whether he had carried the thing oft* with a high hand or not. Detective McLennan, recalled, told Mr. Wilford that Joyner had told him he killed and buried the rabbit for Mrs. Cooper. Mr. Treadwell: Did Joyner tell you that Cooper hadn't the heart to kill the rabbit? — No. (Loud derisive laughter from the gallery.) i Mary Comtek, the auburn-haired young girl who stayed at Cooper's before the great event of her life, was recalled to identify the baby clothing which had passed from one expectant mother to another. Mr. Wilford: How came Cooper to dump you on Mrs. Cooper at Newj lands? — I don't know. i Did you know her previously? — No. Did you ask for her consent to stay j there?— No. i Did you even know who Cooper was? No. all arrangements were made for me. You just had Instructions to meet someone at the railway station, or, at i least, that someone would meet you ac Johnsonville? — Yes, that is so. ! Geoffrey Anton Jorgenson. who made the arrangements for Miss Cornick's reception by Cooper, said he had dono so on behalf of the father of the child —a Wanganul man. In the letter of Instructions ho received from the father it was mentioned that the girl would liko to have the child adopted, and there WAS £50 TO SPARE to have it done. This concluded the Crown case. Both counsel for the defence intimated that they proposed not to call evidence, and the Crown Prosecutor then proceeded with his address. This case 1b one of the most important, if not the most important, that has come before a Court m New Zealand," said Mr. Macassey. He stated that it was not necessary to positively identify the body found as that of McLeod's child. What the Crown set out to do was to prove that the body was that of a child which had been murdered, and it was to assist this that tho evidence of system hud boon adduced. In any case, evidence pointed to it bcin}? McLeod's child, which had disappeared without trace. The body found had a hole m the abdomen sufficient to have caused death' and the suggestion was that the body was placed m the grave and jabbed with the spade, Tho Crown Prosecutor dealt at length with Cooper's conflicting statements itnd the fact that tho same lot of clothing had been on three different babies. Mrs. Cooper had been the one who had taken the clothing and passed it on again. Tho Bocond hild was alleged to bo Miss Beadle's second ono. but the Crown had no knowledge aa to whose child the third body was. It was not ono of tho four given to Cooper that tho police know of. Tho skull of this child had been smashed open. Mrs. Cooper must have had guilty knowledge; she was living with nor husband while he was having intercourse with the girl Beadle. and Mrs. Cooper knew the woman had had two children to him. She must have asked what became of them, and when McLeod and Lister were living

with them she must have wondered and asked what became of the children, especially as she had the handling of, the clothing. Lister's child was said to have been given to Cooper to be adopted between 9.30 and 10 o'clock on a cold, windy and wet night and yet he said the people had changed its clothing — a 13 days' old child — m a motor-car. As for the suggestion that Mrs. Cooper was under her husband's influence, compulsion was no defence for murder. It was also suggested by the questions about metal discs that she had been hypnotised. A person to be hypnotised had to be a willing subject and m any case had no rememberance of what happened while m the trance, It was strong evidence against Cooper and his wife that neither had said where the children were, and they had been given opportunities for [months past If Mrs. Cooper believed her husband, why didn't she say straight out that the children were adopted? Instead, she made a statement withdrew it next day, and remained silent. On the Saturday Cooper was locked up and Mrs. Cooper was at Newlands by herself. When the police went to the place on the Monday the spade had been shifted and a hole was found m the front garden. The suggestion was that the Lupi-— Lister child, whose body was not found, had been exhumed by Mrs. Cooper and disposed of. "I ask you," said Mr. MacassQy, "is the disappearance of these children consistent with any hypothesis of innocence? I can't, find one and I DON'T THINK YOU WILL." Mr. Treadwell (for the male prisoner) followed and stressed, a doubt that the body which was alleged to be that of MoLeodL's child was. actually the bp^y on which the charge was based, For ten minutes at a stretch Cooper eat with bowed head and wept silently. Over ah hour elapsed before counsel disposed of this matter of the corpus deleeti. ' &c contended that the whole structure of the Crown oa,se fell to pieces if this wasn't McLeod's child. He adjured the jury earnestly to dissever from • their investigations any prejudice they might have against the prisoners on account of the extraordinary relationship existing between the two and the woman Beadle, and the degraded code Of morals it disclosed. In this connection he deprecated the newspaper publicity given to the case as well as the effect the pathetic spectacle of the two skeletons, which were exhibited, might have upon the minds of the jury. Counsel urged that Cooper was a humane and kindly man towards his own children, his wife, and the women who stayed at "his house. Considering this it was impossible to view Cooper m the light of an inhuman monster, a ruthless murderer, which, if he had committed these crimes, he would be. He submitted that it was for the Crown to prove guilt and not for the prisoner to prove innocence. Mr. Treadwell spoke for two hours and twenty minutes. Only onoe during the long addresses did Mrs. Cooper break down and weep, but Cooper shed many tears, weeping frequently. On Tuesday morning for the conolusion of the trial' a queue 'formed outside the Supreme Court by 8 o'clock m the morning. A number of women wore there at that early hour, too. The first step m the last phase was the address of Mr. Wilford, counsel for the female prisoner, who argued that as for the disappearance of „ the Beadle children it might be conceived as a possible motive that Mrs. Cooper hud a feeling of resentment against what were THE BASTARD CHILDREN of her husbandfe mistress. But to this there was not a tittle of eyidance m support. ' Hugo Lupi, Welsh, Miss Lister, Miss McLeod and Miss Beadle all believed that the children were to be adopted. Was it unreasonable that Mrs. Cooper should believe it? What could Mrs, Cooper think when Cooper treated the mothers; so kindly, and, m the case' of Miss. McLeod' b child, summoned a doctor" at an early hour of the morning to attend the confinement How could any woman believe m those circumstances that ruthless murder was m the offing? There was nothing to arouse her suspicions. Counsel earnestly urged that Mrs. Cooper, by the dominion of her husband's will, was a soulless household drudge without a mind of her own. Though, as had appeared m evidence, Mrs. Cooper | had expressed her resentment against i being made "the dumping ground for everyone," the thing didn't cease; the dumping continued. How did he obtain that dominant influence? Because the world could not understand Mrs, Copper's attitude of mjnd m allowing Another woman to occupy the connubial b6d it did not follow there was no explanation. It had never been suggested that she was immoral. It was the will,' super- imposed, of Cooper, and with this dominance he was atyle to convinoe her — more especially as he was always quoting Scripture and reading the Bible— that he was acting straightforwardly. It had never been suggested that she murdered any of the children or did the digging. The only connection she had with the children was m taking them from their mothers and handing them |o Cooper. Why not m good faith? Mr. Wilford spoke for an hour and twenty minutes. After sentenco was passed. Mr, Treadwell said he wished to state a case before his Honor for the Court of Appeal as to tho, admisslblllty of the evidence of system. His Honor said he would hear it m chambers when Mr. Macassey waa ready, but he did not think there were sufficient grounds. To the Jury his Honor said: I have to thank you m the name of the country for your very close and careful attention to this very painful and extremely disagreeable case and I am quite satisfied that you have fully investigated the matter and done justice to your oaths. I wish to say that tho conduct of the police, not only with reference to their diligence In investigating this matter, but In the fairness which they have shown to these accused persons, is worthy of commendation. Hla Honor then granted the Jurymen exemption from service on juries again for five years. Through her solicitor, Mr. Wilford Mrs. Cooper has expressed her appreciation of the attentions shown her by the police matrons, gaol officials, and officers at the Central Station Mr. Macassey intimated that' he would consider the question of a nolle prosequl (stay of proceedings) m relation to tho other charges against the woman, Until that is done she remains m custody. On Wednesday morning, Mr. Treadwell mad© his application to Mr. Justloo Chapman, m Chambers, for his Honor, to noto a point for the Court of Appeal In regard to tho ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE oC system, which his Honor permitted m tho famous trial. Hlh Honor declined to reserve tho point. Mr. Treadwell has now taken tho only other available stop, and by wuy of a motion, will ask leave of the Court of Appeal on Monday morning to hear the matter. The point will be argued then with Mr. Macasaey for tho Crown In opposition. If tho Court declines to consider the matter for the reason of insufficient grounds, Coopor goes West. If the appeal is upheld there will be a new trial. The matter of a nolle prosequl being entered by the Crown m tho other charges against Mm. Coopor has boon referred to the Attorney-General, On tho application of Mr. Wilford, Martha Elizabeth Coopor was LIBERATED ON BAIL. His Honor Mr. Justice Chnpmun Hxfrt the amount ut iMOOO In lv->- ow> •<• -""- nisancc und two sureties of £500 each, Into which her biPtiu-r. Mr. Jmn-n Stewart, draper, of Goro, and Mr. Benjamin Sutherland. Kfoccr, of Welling' ton. sntred. On the further charge* against her she was ronmndvd until June D.

Did she offer any objection? — No. Did she ever speak to you about it? --Yos. She said she didn't mind me being INTIMATE WITH HER HUSBAND. As a result of tho intimacy did you become pregnant?— Yes. And all tho time you were prognant were you living with Cooper and his wife at Island Bay? Yea In answer to further questions witness Maid sho was confined m Lyttelton at a nursing home. Cooper paid Wev expenses, and the object of tho trip was so that nobody In Wellincton would know sho had had a child It was born m June, 1920. and was' left at a private houso m Chrlstchurch with a Mrs. Adams while sho and Cooper roturned to Wellington Subsoquently Mrs. Adams wrote sayihe she could not keep tho child longer and Cooper and witness wont south' for it and returned immediately Coopers were then living m Adelaide" Road. After two or three days Cooper said ho had arranged for someone to adopt the baby into a good home Witness wont out of tho house, dreadfully upset, on tho 'afternoon of tho day she was told tho people who wero to adopt it were coming, for tho reason that Cooper had told her their Identity was to be concoaled. When she returned Cooper told her that It hnd been handed over and she was not to worry. Sho had never seen or heard of tho child since. Did you continue to live on with tho Coopers? — Yes.

the "adoption." In regard to a second child by Cooper, when that was born, and for threo months after the time it was "adopted," Mrs. Cooper was on holiday m Dunedin. You met Cooper m Dunedin first, did you not? — Yos. You wcro his assistant m tho health parlors? — Yes. Witness added that she joined him at the beginning of '10. He married Mrs. Cooper m '18. Was Cooper apparently a vory religiouH man?— Yos. Ho was a man, was he not, who used to devote a great deal of his time to READING THE BIBLE and quoting Scripture?— Yes. He was also a prominent Seventh Day Adventlst, was ho not?— Yes. And he was well read m Scripture and could quote wholosalo?— Yos. Did ho ever explain his convictions on special passages to Mrs. Cooper?— Yes. Did ho ever explain the difference) between adultery as committed by a man and as by a woman, taking the Bible as his text book?— Witness said ! sho did not remember it. . , Did Mrs. Cooper ovor tell you that Cooper had convinced her that It would muko him If) if ho had connection with her? — No. Didn't Mrs. Cooper ever tell you that she waa 111 and a man must not have intercourse with her? — No. Can you remember her saying to you: "I have novor been ill In my life, and yet my husband says 1 am ill"? — No.