THE CHILD MURDER CASE.
FULLER PAHTIOULARS. [Pee United Press Association..] Christchurch, Jan. 18. The inquest on the child whose head was found in Gloucester street, January G, was held before R. Beetham, coroner The evidence occupied six hours. After the formal witnesses came A Dr. Rioorhousewho had attended Sarah-^H Flanagan iv her confinement on Dej. 12. He called next day but ao one answered^ Subsequently saw accused who wished him to say nothing, but that the baby had been put out to nurse.
Dr. Syme gave particulars respecting the head of the child, describing the wounds on the front of the face and a contusion on the top of the head which had been severed by two cuts with a sharp instrument such as a tomahawk.
The witnesses who'found the head and clothes and identified them then gave evidence.
Mrs Freeman, the nurse with whom the 'baby waa placed, stated in the box she had 2 years before received another child of Sarah Flanagan to nurse 'but this one had died. Had received'the last child from Mrs Flanagan who stated 'her daughter -was married to a' man ou tbe West Coast, named Stephens. She kept the child 3 weeks when on January 5 both the female .prisoners came to her house saying that Mrs Stephens was going to Wellington and took the baby £way. J She wrapped it up in a white and red shawl and at Mrs Flanagan's request ieffc the white shawl showing. Her daughter followed the two women along the streets in the direction of where the head waa found when they started to run.
John Tully, publisher of the Xyttelton, Times, deposed to seeing two women &,i the section where the head was found at four o'clock in the morning on January 6J as he was going to the office. They avoided him but he watched them for a while and saw them go into the section.
Both were short and one was much stouter than the other but he could not say that the female prisoners were the women ha saw.
Joseph Sergeant, telegraph operator, deposed that as he was going home from work about 2*30 'aim. one day early last week when he saw Constable "Flanagan and : two short women pass down the Lincoln road towards Christchurch. Mrs Higgs, Registry Officer keeper, told, j how Mrs Flauagau called to secure a nurse for her daughter's baby born December 13. She was very vexed about it and said that she would kill it it she had to ■ do with it and used other threats.
As Mr Beetham summed up, -when speaking of the male accused, Sarah Flanagan created a scene, crying out that her father knew nothing of it.
Thejury retired at 4*lo returning at 4'2£J when, the foreman stated they were unanimous iv returning a verdict of wilful murder against the two females. The coroner concurred. The magisterial enquiry was then adjourned till Tuesday.
THE CHILD MURDER CASE.
West Coast Times, Issue 8056, 19 January 1891, Page 2
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