THE HONOLULU TRIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21621, 16 April 1932, Page 14

THE HONOLULU TRIAL

EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE PLEA OF INSANITY PROBABLE. HONOLULU, April 14. (Received April 15, at 8 p.m.) Lieutenant Massie, testifying in his own defence, told the story of the outrage of his wife last fall, of which the slain man was suspected. Mr Darrow, who is appearing for the defence, announced that he would raise the question of sanity. This is ■believed to indicate that Lieutenant Massie will admit that he did the killing but will plead extenuating circumstances and temporary insanity. Lieutenant Massie sobbed as he gave his evidence and Mrs Fortescue wept. CROWD IN THE COURT THE JUDGE AND COUNSEL. HONOLULU, April 7. An enormous crowd attended the opening of the trial of Lieutenant Massie, Mrs Fortescue and two United States naval ratings, Lord and Jones, who are charged with the murder of the native Kahahawai.

The court, over which Mr Justice Davis presided, was held in the same grey stone judiciary building from which Kahahawai emerged on January 8 in response to a “ fake ” summons to be kidnapped in a motor car, of which Massio himself, disguised with a false moustache, is believed to have been the driver.

The courtroom was crowded and stuffy. All eyes were turned on Mr Clarence Darrow, who was counsel for the defence in the Dayton (Tennessee) evolution trial and is appearing for the accused. Mrs Darrow was in court and chatted with Mrs Fortescue. Mr John Kelley, loading counsel for the prosecution, expects to call 35 witnesses. It is alleged that Mrs Massie interviewed Anne Whitmore, clerk in the courthouse, concerning Kahahawai’s daily appearances the day before the killing. Whitmore went to Manila and has not returned, and is not available as a witness.

The defence is not saying how many witnesses it will call. It is expected that it will present the story that the actual killing was accidental, while freely admitting the kidnapping and an attempt to scam Kahahawai into a confession.