THE WESTPORT MURDER CASE

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12582, 1 October 1908, Page 7

THE WESTPORT MURDER CASE

(Per United Press Association.) HOKITIKA, October -

When the evidence for the Crown closed in the Otira robbery case counsel for the defendant asked his Honor if there was a case to go before the jury. The Judee replied that the evidence was exceedingly weak, but he would not umiertake the responsibility of withdrawing it from the jury, and he left it to the jury themselves to decide whether they desired to hear the defence of the rccused. The jury decided to acquit without calling on the defence, and the prisoners were then discharged, thus closing the criminad cases in one of the longest sessions held here for many years. A divorce case before a jury will be heard to-morrow.

Chief Detective Mcllveney, who obtained Connolly's confession of the Burke murder, has been called up to Wellington to produce the document to the autJionties. He left for the north to-day, and reaches Wellington on Sunday. -