TRIAL DELAYED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 4

TRIAL DELAYED.

Ruawaro Murder Charges Postponed. PREPARATION OF DEFENCE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 14. Accused on two separate charges of murder, William Alfred Bayly, aged twenty-eight, farmer, of Ruawaro, made his first appearance in the Supreme Court this afternoon. Mr Justice Herdman was on the bench. The charges against Bayly are that at Ruawaro on or about October 15 last he did murder Christobel Lakey, and, further, at Ruawaro on or about October 15 last he did murder Samuel Pender Lakey. Mr V. R. Meredith appeared for the Crown and Mr Northcroft, with whom was Mr Lusk, for Bayly. The time set down for Bayly’s appearance had not been announced, so that very few members of the public were present when he appeared. Mr Northcroft said he had asked that the case be mentioned for the purpose of ascertaining at what time it was likely to go forward. The depositions were very lengthy as a result of months of research by the police, and the case was presented only a few weeks ago. At the present moment the work of the police was being investigated by the defence. It had not yet been completed; in fact, it had only been commenced. It would be quite impossible to present an adequate case for the defence and an adequate case on behalf of the accused in the near future.

His Honor: It is for you to say. The Court is ready at any time, and I gather the Crown is ready, too. Likely to Last Weeks.

Mr Northcroft pointed out that the Easter law vacation would occur on March 29. Judging by the time the case took in the Police Court he gathered it would take three or four weeks to complete the Supreme Court hearing, and it would consequently run over the Easter holidays.

His Honor: When would you be ready ? Mr Northcroft: At the present moment I am frankly unable to say.

His Honor: You need a postponement ? Mr Northcroft: Yes. His Honor: I am prepared to meet you in any way.

“It appears that it would be the better plan to take it at * the commencement of next sittings,” said his Honor.

Mr Meredith: That would> be most convenient. I appreciate my friend’s difficulty. It is a very large case. Every facility that is desired should be given the defence. I am ready to agree.

His Honor: I suppose tiiere will be a lot of expert evidence. Mr Northcroft: I think so. In the meantime expert examination of the evidence tendered by the Crown is taking place. “ I think the application for postponement of the case is a reasonable one,” said his Honor. “ The evidence given by the expert witnesses called by the Crown makes careful and, perhaps, prolonged investigation necessary, so it is but right that the defence should be afforded every facility for considering and meeting the case made out. The application will be granted, and the case will stand over, as requested by counsel for the defence, until the next sittings. A date can be fixed later.”

The next sittings of the Court in Auckland open on May 1.