ONGOROTO TRAGEDY.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14728, 5 August 1921, Page 5

ONGOROTO TRAGEDY.

THE TRIAL.

YESTERDAY’S EVIDENCE. (Press Association.) HAMILTON, August 3

At the Ongarotoo murder trial,’ Sarah Herepeka gave evidence of prisoner’s movements at Easter. He made no mention of Elliot, although he spent much time with her. Detective Sweeney said that he took a statement from prisoner, stating that the- two returned from a shooting excursion safely, and next morning he left the whare early, leaving Elliot sleeping in bed. Witness also testified to finding a car-tridge-box in Elliot’s whare, which was orderly, with the bed made. He found empty cartridge-boxes in prisoker’s whare. 1 : '

William Tonks, Government' Analyst, said that he fourid the blood on the riding pants, blit" could not tell, in the chemical tests,. whether it was human blood.

Frederick Government Bacteriologist, that bacteriological tests 1 showed some human and some pig blood on the pants. Since the last trial they had made about 1300 tests. They also found human blood on a rock and on tirtree. At counsel’s request, witness read published letters from two authorities, pointing out the 1 unreliability of certain tests, and suggesting that unjust verdicts might be given through placing too, much reliance on -laboratory work.

The evidence has been concluded, and counsels’ addresses will be given on Friday.*