THE WAITARA TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3107, 4 February 1909, Page 5

THE WAITARA TRAGEDY.

TRIAL OF DR. GOODE. By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, February 3. It is several years since a person has been tried in New Plymouth on a charge of murder. When the Magistrate's Court opened this morning for the hearing of the charge of murder laid against Dr. Edwin Jonatnan Goode, of Waitara, in connection with the recent Waitara tragedy, there was a number of spectators waiting for admission. The charge preferred against Dr Goode was that on December 14th, at Waitara, he did murder one Mary Ellen Klenner by shooting her with a revolver. Mr H, S. Fitzherbert, S.M., presided. Mr T. S. Weston (Crown Prosecutor) and Mr C. H. Weston appeared to prosecute, and Mr Johnstone, instructed by Mr Wilkes (Waitara) defended. Dr. Goode throughout the proceedings was calm and collected. He has much improved in appearance since the date of the tragedy. He sat unmoved in the dock the whole day. Mr Johnstone, on behalf of prisonI er, formally pleaded not guilty.

Mr T. S. Weston stated that he would not weary the Court with an opening of the case for the prosecution, but would at once begin calling evidence. All witnesses were ordered out of Court on Mr Johnstone's application. The evidence to-day was largely on the lines of tha* - . given at the inquest. It is expected that the trial will occupy several days.

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