Charge of Incendiarism.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4676, 21 June 1893, Page 1

Charge of Incendiarism.

CAPTAIN BALDWIN ACQUITTED. (Thb Pbxßs Association.J WELLINGTON, June 20. Mr Martin, 8.M., was occupied all day in hearing the charge preferred against William Baldwin of having unlawfully, maliciously and feloniously Bet fire to the house known as Tredenham, at Lower Hutt, on the night of May 24. Seventeen witnesses were examined for the prosecution, the evidence in the main being a repetition of that adduced at the coroner's inquest. At 4.30 the Court adjourned for an hour, to enable the Magistrate to consider his decision. On resuming, Mr Martin said he had come to the conclusion that under the circumstances he could see no reason why the accused should be asked to stand his trial. He held the opinion that no jury which honestly carried out the oath administered could convict the accused. He reviewed the evidence at length, and said that the actions of Captain Baldwin, both before and subsequent to his leaving the building on the afternoon of the day on which it was destroyed, were those of an innocent man, as no attempt was made to hide his identity. The evidence for the prosecution had, he said, been put fairly, and construction drawn from it; but the Crown had also to prove that it was not capable of bearing another construction. In this case he thought it was. The absence of motive was an insuperable difficulty, and he pointed out that Captain Baldwin would not derive a single copper from the destruction of the 'building. In concluding, Mr Martin said it was quite competent for the Crown law officers to prefer an indictment against the accused on the Coroner's inquiaition, but he was Btrongly of opinion that there was no case to answer. The accused then left the Court with his friends.