SUPREME, COURT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 22, 8 June 1868, Page 3

SUPREME, COURT.

» "" CRIMINAL SITTINGS. Satdkdat, Jujhj fl. CBoforo Mr Justico Grosson,} iumar.AUY, In tho caso of Walter Johnston, ohnrgod with this oitonco, tho jury found a verdict of " Guilty," and tho prisoner was sontoucod to three years' penal servitude.. L-AHOMNT ; FltOM THW ri'l'SOM, Mary Ilolmos nnd Mary Ann Greaves woro lndiotod for stoaling a' ring moro than two yoars ago, Tho prisoners pleaded "Not Guilty." Mr Duncan proseoutod on the ipart of tho Crown * and Mr Joynt dofended tyolmcs, Mr William Neovo was chosen foreman of the jury, Doicetlvo Foant deponed that ho got tho ring produced from Hormann, tho jowcllcr, High stroot i and tho pledgo-Uckot from the polico at tho depot, Tho prisonors wore living together in May 1800, and in April last, whon ho arrested them. ' John Birkett Dalo i 1 romombor tho 2-tth of May, 1800, Thoro was a steeplechase on that day, I was at the Criterion Hotel, lu Gloucester' street, kopt by Davis, and at tho Shakospcaro, kopt by West, on that night, I was at tho Urltorfon botwobn nino and ton, nnd at tho Bhakospoaro from olevon to halfpast, or perhaps until a qunrtor to twolvo. I had a gold diamond ring and a gold koopor ring j I had a watch chain (with a fivo frano piece attaehod), and two or throo pounds, in notes and nllvor. I loft tho tthakospcaro in an Albort car. I can swear that I had these artiolos in my possession about 0 or 10 o'clook, I missed thom about 8 o'elock in tho morning, iu Cashel street lCast, A man and two women got into tho oar with mo. I cannot speak as to tho appoaranco of tho womon. Tho ring produced is mine I did hot sco It aftor that night until a month ago, In Hormann's shop, 1 do not know whoro wo drove to In tho ear, 1 Cross-examined by Mr Joynt s I hadn't been nt tho stcoplcchnso that day, I had boon drinking in tho ovoning, I was a littlo blovntod whon I loft tho Criterion, not tho worso for drink by auy means, Tho ring was in tho portmonnalo which I had in the tho front pocket of my trousers. I wont direct from tho Grttorlon to tho Shakospciiro. I paid for drinks in tho Shakespeare, I didn't miss tho portmonnalo from my pockot during thc timo I was In tho rJhakcspoaroi I was thon getting drunk— not very drunk, I lost all consolousijess after getting into tho car. Hirst camo to my senses in pashol stroot, and found my pookots turned insldo out and everything gono, I swoar distinctly that a man and two women got into tho ear with mo. I think I flftld at tho l 7 olioo-court that a man aijd a woman got into tho car—not *.* at man or a woman." I havo somo rocollootlon of telling tho driver to take mo homo to Colombo stroot north, Ido not know who tho driver was j I wish I did, I was lying on tho ground when I camo to my sonses in Cashol street, I bought tho ring at l'otorscn's. No mention was mado of the fault In ono of the stones in tho ring at tho timo X bought it, I have never to my knowledge been In the company of tho prisoners. To my knowledge I nover saw thom in my lifo until in tho Pollco-court. ' William Davis i I romembor prisoner Holmes offering mc a ring, betwoon eight and nine one evening in May, isoo. Bho asked mo if I wanted to buy a ring, which sho showed lo mo. To tho bust of my knowledge tho ring producod Is tho samo, I refused to buy It. I don't recollect seeing Mr Dalo in my houso that night or tho night after. Thero wero a groat many people in tiio Criterion on tho night of tho steeple chaso, It was shortly after that night that Holmes asked mo to buy tho ring, 1 saw thc prisonors together iu tho Criterion fro quonlly about that timo, ; Cross-examined by Mr Joynt .• Tho. samo ring was oll'erod mo again by prlsonor Holmes on tho night aftor, and I again refused to buy iti lam positive that 1 took the ring lu my hands and oxamlnod it, I believe tlie ring produced is tho samo, hut I will not swear posltlvoly. I will swoar that tho ring whicli Ilolmos offorcd to sell, was a diamond ring, I saw tho ring with Dctectlyo Feast, In Port, Ho asked mo if I know It, and I recognised it as being similar to ono I had soon before. I bollovo Dotoctlvo IToaHt first uiikod mo if I had soon tho ring with tho prlsonor Holmes i it' was thon that I recollected lt, Bho offered it.to mo in tho public bar, and talked low, as If she wanted lt concealed, X Hermann •• I am a Jowcllcr In High stroot, Grcavos camo to my Bhop on the Iwt of April last, Hho -brought tho ring prodinic-d. Sho said sho wanted a littlo money on It, I asked hor if it was hor own, and sho said it was, and that sho had had it for years. I 9 avo hor £.3, and arocolpt tlokot, on tho unorstanding that blic was to redcom it In it month for 40 10s, Tho ring was not redeemed, Cross-examined by Mr Joynt s I novor saw tho ring in Holmes's possession. Sorgt.-Major l'ardy doposcd to Mr Dalo having roportcd tho loss of his proportyon tho day after tbo stcoplechaso In May, 1800, Prisoners woro living together in April last. Mr Joynt add rossod tho jury on bohalf of Holmes, contending that tho jury must acquit hor, as thoro was no ovldonco to establish her guilt or complicity,

i Mr Duncan replied j and ItU Xlonor summed up thoevldonoo. | Tho jury rotlrod, and aftor a abort interval, jeoturncd a verdiot of ■■ Guilty " ngainßt both prlsonorß. i Mary Ann- Grooves pleaded "Guilty" tho chargo of previous conviction. Hia Honor; sentenced Ilolmos to six, and Greaves to twolvo months' imnrlsonmont in tho Christohurch gaol, at hard labour. , Tho Court thon adjoumod until 11 o'clock on Wednesday noxt,