THE TIMARU POISONING CASE.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1891, 20 October 1886, Page 2

THE TIMARU POISONING CASE.

On Saturday the ease for the Crown closed, and Mr Joyut argued that the indictment disclosed no offence, because antimony, being the name given to the poison in the indict* ment, must be used and understood in its primary sense as a metal only. His Honor, the Judge was of opinienthat there was nothing to make the indictment bad in itself. It was good on the face of it, and he did not think on the whole there was a variation from evidence. He was satisfied that antimony was poison, and that Mrs Hall was poisoned by antimony, though be was oertaiuly surprised that the indictment was not more clear. Upon the whole, as at present advised, be was satisfied that the indictment was not bad, and that there was sufficient evidence that Mrs Hall had been poisoned, and that antimony was the poison used. Mr Joynt said he had no evidence to call on behalf of Hall. On behalf of Mias Houston, Dr Keyworth, Rov, Mr West, Mrs Hermison, and H. C. Matthias gave her an excellent character in every res. pect. Dr Guthrie, who had been in practice for twelve years, stated he examined Miss Houston professionally on the 9th inst., and found all the evidence ol virginity at present and could speak with absolute certainty upon that point. The taking of evidence having been com eluded, the Attorney General in a speech of qp hour’s duration summed up the case for the prosecution. He admitted that Miss Houston stood on a different platform to Hall, and that the case was not so strong against her, but if she had been aiding Hall in his doings she must be brought in as accessory. With regard to Hall, bis financial position and the property he might iuherit by his wife’s death, were strong points; on the Sunday morning preceding bis arrest, the prisoner went into the room and the nurse went out, and out of the phial afterwards found in his pocket he put the tartar emetic, dissolved in water, into the ice water, but the largeness of the quantity prevented the murder of Mrs Hail. During June, July and August he bad purchased large quantities of poison, and during that same period his wife was suffering illness. The learned counsel touched upon many other points brought out iu evidence. Mr Joynt, for Hall’s defence, made a long speech, but though he made the best of his position, he did not appear to impress his hearers favorably towards the prisoner. Mr Hay, who appeared for Miss Houston, did not speak at great length, but he spoke well, and to tho purpose.