SUPREME COURT

Southland Times, Issue 17193, 12 November 1912, Page 11

SUPREME COURT

CHRISTCHURCH SITTIXGS. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. Xovemher 11. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court opened before his Honour Mr Justice Denniston, who addressing the Grand Jury, said that there were on the list twenty charges against fifteen individuals. some of them of a serious character. There was the usual large number of cases which formed part of the criminal lists throughout the Dominion, cases in connection with young women. There were also ten prisoner.-* sent up by the Court below for sentence, who, had it not been for a change in the Act. would not have appeared before the Supreme Court. Referring to the chargt of attempted abortion against Dr Charles James Russell, his Honour, after sketchlug the evidence of the young woman given in the Court below, said that there was no doubt, if the jury believed the girl's evidence, that the offence was committed. One of the parties conerned in the matter was not there, hut the young woman was there, and also another important witness. His Honour pointed out that it was not the function nf tin* Grand Jury to try cases, hut to satisfy themselves that there was sufficient prima facie evidence lo go before a petty jury. The law always looked upon the' destroying nf potential life as a most serious offence. The accused in tins case was a well-known man, and no doubt there had been much lalk about the matter. There was no doubt \m the evidence that there was a cleat \|,i-i ma facie ease to go to the common *M;ry. He felt convinced that it was not necessary for him to point out I" t\.i* Grand Jury that under their oath t n.*y must do their duty, and put aL ot\ier considerations a-idc. SubsefiuentGrand Jury brought in a true bill against Russell. gyvcral prisoners were pen' cured. KdvvcrVl Michael Wood, a llurnham escapee, wr.s\ ord-rcd to be detained, in gaol for rofoiVinative purposes. Robt. Dick-on Warden and Lisle Ennesford Sc.oullar were \ ordered to lie sent back to Burnham \as was also IVin. Duncan, alias Eriw cl era Helen Shepherd Copland, on a rharg-A of theft from a dwelling, was ordered \to come up for sentence when called Apon, and further lo pay £3 3s towards uho costs of proceedings. AVm. McCabe\was sentenced lo live years for carnally\ Knowing his niece. Alexander K* nnedy\ 13 years, on a charge* of breakI ing and Venterir.g, was ordered to come up for se\nt*un-e when called upon, Maurice i'anl\ Nottingham, on a charge of forger'*, was similarly dealt with, and ordered i 4 refund £3 together with £3 vests. ).*■*■*! i* ■ Layton Smith, on several charges of \r.i'li'i'c to account for money Avis scti'en\*'*d m nine month-*' concur* rdntly, G“*' R “'ln* pleaded guilly to ■. c-lirgc of burglary and received three , i luiliK, v