SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 27 November 1900, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

THE WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Per Piess Association

WELLINGTON, November 26,

At the Supreme Court, Mary Henderson, a woman of middle age, was charged with ths murder of Alice Winifred Luke, at Wellington on August 26th, by the performance of an illegal operation. Mr Bell prosecuted on behalf of the Crown. The prisoner, who pleaded not guilty in a strong voice, -was defended by Mr Wilford. The ■case is the outcome of the finding of the coroner's jury which inquired into the circumstances surrounding the girl's death, her depositions (which incriminated the accused) having been taken prior to her demise. After certain evidence had been tendered concerning the depositions, Mr Wilford argued that the prisoner was not given sufficient notice of the intention to take these depositions. Moreover, the cp.ption or title of the depositions was not in the form proscribed by statute, neither day, place, time or year being stated. Justice Edwards said it seemed to him plain that the notice of intention to take depositions was not served upon the prisoner in the wtty required. The Crown Prosecutor then stated that under the circumstances he would not tonder the depositions. Evidence was given by Drs Anson and Fyffe. The latter deposed, that on examining three instruments produced he found on each one large numbers of putrefactive organisms. A person would run ve-y great r;sk who way operated on by instruments not aseptic:'

The Court adjourned at 5 o'clock till the morning, when Dr Fyffe wil'. be cross-exam-ined. The jury was locked up for the night, and the case will probably hist till Wednesday.