THE CHILD MURDER CASE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10198, 2 May 1883, Page 2

THE CHILD MURDER CASE.

THE JUBY OF MATRONS. [ EXECUTION RESPITED. In order to carry out the arrangement come to at the previous sitting of the Supreme Court, in the trial of Phoebe Veitoh, for child-muruer, the Sheriff (Mr G. W. Woon) summoned yesterday morning a jury panel of matrons, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the prisoner was pregnant, in whioh case the execution of the death penalty would be stayed by law until after the birth of the child. — The Sheriff, who was busy in his novel task from 8 o'olook in the morning, summoned a panel of 26 matrons, whose names were as follows : — Mrs John Alexander, Mrs J. W. Jackson, Mrs Elizabeth Fearce, Mrs John Woolston, Mrs Hugh -McHhone, Mrs G-. W. Ormsbee, Mrs W. Paterson, Mrs A. D. Willis, Mrs Morrison, Mrs F. M. Spurdle, Mrs Nance, Mrs Edward Tingey, Mrs A. M. Moore, Mrs Smidt, Mrs McNab, Mrs Palmer, Mrs Hooper, Mrs Hicks, Mrs MeFarlane, Mrs liiogard, Mrs McDonald, Mrs Louisa Walker, Mrs Monro, Mrs diaries Bell, Mrs Thomas Woolley, and Mrs Jones. Of these, 23 made their appearance in Court, the remainder, who wore evidently reluctant to undertake the delicate task required of them, esoaping a fiiie simply through the first twelve names being called on, instead of the whole panel as is the custom when the sterner sex are conoernefl. — The matrons (who, oolleotively speaking, formed a body of ladies of whom any town has a right to be proud, and who reflected great credit on the Sheriff's judgment and selection'!, assembled in the Grand Jury room to await their summons into Court. By order of the Judge, the floor of the Count was cleared of everybody except the Bar, the police, the Press, and the Court officials. There was a large gathering of the Bar, Messrs Travel's and H. D. Bell (the Wellington Crown Prosecutor), being amongst those present. Dr Earle was also in attendance, having been subpoenaed by the" Crown, in case his services were required. At ten minutes past 11 o'clock, the Chief . Justice took his seat on the Bench, and the prisoner, Phoebe Veitoh (who seemed totally unconcerned about the whole business), was placed in the dock. — The Deputy Registrar (Mr Cooper) put! the usual question to her — You have been convicted of murder, and sentenced to be hanged ; have you anything to ; say why the sentence Bhould not be exeouted? — The prisoner made no reply.— The Chief Justice : I understood you to say, Mr Hutohison, that she is quick with child ? — Mr Hutchison : I don't put it quite that way. I understand she is pregnant, but I have not asked her as to her particular condition. — The Chief Justice : I think it is sufficient, if she is pregnant. —Mr Hutchison : Yes, I : understand she is pregnant. — The Chief Justice : Then the ordinary course must be followed. But ask her whether she wishes you to say that for her. — Mr Hutohison asked her accordingly, and the prisoner replied in the affirmative. — The matrons were then brought into Court and took their seats. — The Deputy Begistrar addressed them as follows : — < Ladies of the jury, will you please j answer to your names. — The following • twelve names were Galled, and all '. answered : — Mrs; Palmer, Mrs John i Alexander, Mrs Eliza Pearoe, Mrs Hugh i Mollhone, Mrs Woolston, Mrs George ' Hicks, Mrs Smidt, Mrs MoNab, Mrs G. W. Omißbee, Mrs Thomas Woolley, Mrs Jones (Market Square), and Mrs McFarlane. — The Deputy Begistrar : Choose your fore-matron, ladies. — The Judge explained to tne jury that it was I necessary to select one of their number 1 to speak for the rest. — The matrons ] then, after a few moments' conversation i amongst themselves (several of their "" number deolining the honor), selected 1 Mrs Alexander for the post of 1 distinction. The other matrons (not on 1 the jury) were dismissed from atten- i dance, and left the Court. The jury were I 1 then sworn to give a true verdict whether i or not Phcebe Veitoh was quick with child. — The Chief Justice explained to '. them what they had to consider, and told I them that they could have the assistance i of a medical gentleman if they wished it. His Honor added that the jury '. would now retire and thab the prisoner ] would be taken into the custody of the 1 Gaoler's wife. — Phoebe Veitch was ac- < J cordingly escorted by Mrs Pointon into > the grand jury room, where the jury- i women proceeded to inquire and deli- 1 borate. — After being away 5 minutes," the jurywomen intimated (by one of ] their number opening tho door very ' slightly and peepiusj round the corner) i

bat they wished for medical testimony. )r Earlo was accordingly sworn to exmiDe the prisoner and ascertain if she '38 quick with child, and then joined lie matronly conclave. — In another five linutes the fore-matron, accompanied by Irs McFarlane, entered the Court, and lformed His Honor that, before the lamination of the prisoner could be iade, it would be necessary to proonre ome blankets. — The Gaoler was intruoted to obtain a supply at once. — A aw minutes after 12 o'clock- lihe juryiromen sent in word to the Judge that bey wished to have the ,Court cleared. -His Honor replied that the verdict atist be . delivered .in >open .Court, and heir request could not be complied rith. — At 12.30 o'clock, the jury reurned into' Court and 1 said that they tad agreeehr-all-but one lady who was indeoided. — His Honor said that they nust all agree, as the verdiot'like that >f every other jury must be unanimous. —The matrons retired to. the grand jury •oom again, the forewoman intimating ;hat they did not ■ require , further aedical testimony. — At' 'teri minutes to I o'clock the jury returned into Court igain, and the forewoman , stated that to the best of their .knowledge and be- * lief the prisoner was quick with phild. — rhe Chief Justice respited the sentence of death passed upon the. prisoner until the next session of the Supreme Court in Wanganui. — The matrons were dis. charged, His Honor, thanking tßem for their services. — The prisoner was taken back to the gaol.— The Ohief justice said that' the recommendation to mercy given by the jury would-be forwarded to the Government, and would no doubt receive the consideration it was entitled to. ' ' "■' ■-•-4,