Ongaroto Murder.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170576, 5 August 1921, Page 4

Ongaroto Murder.

■ HEARING OF RETRIAL. EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. Per Press Association. HAAIILTON, August 4. At the Ongaroto murder trial, .Sarah Herepeka gave evidence as to prisoner’s movements at Easter. He made no mention of Elliott, although lie s..cnf much time with her. Detective .Sweeney said lie took a statement from the prisoner, who stated that the two returned from a sbtoting- excursion safely, uud next meaning accused left the wiiare early, leaving • Elliott sleeping in bed. Witness also testified to linciing a cartridge box in Elliott’s whare, wnich was orderly with the bed made. He also found empty cartridge boxes in the p.'l3onei’s whare. William Tonks, Government analyst, said he found bloo'cl on r idiug pants. He could not toll by chemical tests whether it was human blood. r Frederick Armitage, Government bacteriologist, said that by bacteriological tests lie found some human and some pig blood on the pants, but the stains were separate. .Since last trial he had made about 1300 tests. He also found human blood on rock, and titrees. At counsel’s request iwiness read published letters from two authorities, pointing out the unreliability of certain tests and suggesting that unjust verdicts might be given through placing too much reliance on laboratory work. Under cross examination, Air Armitage said he would have regarded it as a reflection upon himself, if the Government appointed another bacteriologist to check his tests. His Honour said it was quite within the province of the defence to have appointed another bacteriologist under a separate test. Witness said lie had performed a test 3000 times. His tests enabled him to say positively that some of the sir ins wore human blood and others jugs’ blood. William Hazard, gun merchant, Auckland, described the effects of shots and the evidence was concluded. Counsels will address the Court tomorrow.