The RingwooD Murder Case.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5574, 20 September 1889, Page 2

The RingwooD Murder Case.

Mklf.oui.nf-, Sept. 11. The investigation into the circumstances attending the death of Peter J. Sherlock, civil engineer, whose body was found lying concealed beneath a heap of brushwood in a paddock near Ringwood, was resumed on the 10th of September, before the District Coroner and a special jury. The evidence which was very lengthy, tended to show thab the man Robert Landells, now in custody on a charge of murder, had since Sherlock's death been systematically disposing of property and effects left by deceased. Ifc was shown that Landells had cashed and banked to his own credit two cheques for LIO and Lo respectively, which had been lodged by Sherlock as deposits on tenders, and which, after his death, had been returned to him again. A microscope and quantity of mathematical instruments had been disposed of by Landells in the same way, and accused had also made an attempt to negotiate two deposit receipts belonging to Sherlock, on the plea that they had been handed to him iv satisfaction of a debt. The main feature of the inquiry was the' medical evidence of Professor Allen, who, from fche result of the second autopsy, was able to positively state that death had been caused by a gunshot wound inflicted from behind and at very close (punters. In cross-examination Mr Forfcongc, who appeared for the defence, elicited a substantial doubt as to whether the gun could have been raised to the shoulder afc the moment of discharge. A fresh step in the evidence was fche introduction of an order dated two days after the supposed date of Sherlock's death, authorising a city jeweller fco hand over to Landells certain property in his possession. This order purported to be signed by P. J. Sherlock and the prosecution obtained from the manager of the Land Credit Bank, in which deceased kept his account, evidence fchat fche signature was not thafc of Sherlock. Witness declined to state that the signature was a forgery, bufc he declared that cheques bearing such a signature would have been refused payment. After 18 witnesses lnd been examined the enquiry was adjourned.