THE TE AWAITI IPJRDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8247, 21 February 1905, Page 3

THE TE AWAITI IPJRDER.

— — ♦ EVIDENCE CHALLENGED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 20. Mr Wilford, counsel for Ellis, who was sentenced. to death for the murder of Collinson, at Te Awaiti, this morning forwarded to the Executive an amdavit by M'Douougli, one of the Crown witnesses in the case. . M'Donough, in this affidavit, challenges the evidence of Grant, another Crown, witness, who 'swore that he saw M'Donough on the morning of the murder at a ispot from which M'Donough said he saw Ellis. This evidence was called by the Crown to corroborate M'Donough's own statement, that he was in the -vicinity, and saw Ellis there. Grant was severely cross-examined at the trial as to the range of the telescope which enabled him to see M'Donough. The affidavit of M'Donough states that he Vet Grant that morning between 7.30 and 8, and Grant told him he had just come from. Waipawa, seven or' eight^ miles away, and in a different -direction to that in which Grant swore he had been. M?Donough also days that Grant's statement as to only being out pig-shooting once with witness was proved to be untrue. Mr Wilford, in a letter, to i the Executive, claims that this affidavit further raises the doubt, "Rare v$ had. the truth, the whole truth, and nothing, but the truth?" The Executive is considering the case to-day. . •