JESSICA MINNS.

Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1180, 10 August 1901, Page 3

JESSICA MINNS.

And the Grand Hotel Fire. THE refusal of the Stipendiary Magistrate to admit the evidence of the girl Jessica Minns against herself, on the ground that it was extorted from her under a threat of punishment, ought to be an instructive lesson to both the Police and Crown Prosecutor. It is true that in this particular case Mr Tole was no party to the method pursued of getting from the girl the evidence against herself on the charge of murder. But he none the less argued that the evidence was admissable, and though he was worsted in the battle of forensic logic by Mr J. C. Martin, he evidently would not have scrupled to use the evidence against the girl. ••■ ••• ••. Auckland enjoys the unenviable distinction of being the only city in tbft British possessions where this practice' is pursued, of cross-examin-ing suspected persons before their trial with the object of eliciting admissions of culpability. The " Observer " has, on repeated occasions, condemned the practice, and if the case against Jessica Minns serves ro other purpose, it ought at least to arouse public opinion concerning the impropriety of this practice. The system is one that finds favour on the Continent, but it is contrary to the first principles of British law and subversive of justice. ••• .». ... These admissions in the matter' of the Grand Hotel fire being the only evidence against Jessica Minns she has been released from custody. It is scarcely probable that any attempt will be made to follow up the cock-and bull story, as adapted from ' Fred the Miner/ which was palpably an invention, and the matter will rest now unless the origin of the fire is traced through another source. There seems but little doubt that the fire was caused by an incendiary, and that there is still a' mystery to unravel, but the authorities haying permitted themselves to be fooled into a maze of romance by a sentimental girl, when they should have been searchingly following Up their enquiries, it is improbable now that the lost ground will ever be recovered and the problem solved.