THE HALL CASE.
On Saturday the evidence of two of the servants In Hall’s household wss taken, alao that of the billiard marker at the South Canterbury Club.
TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS
Christchurch, October 18
When the Hall and Houston case was resented this morning the AttornoyGemeral called two photographers «ho stated that antimony was not used in photography. Mr Hay elicited this was expert knowledge, therefore Miss Houston would not be expected to know. Dr Symes was called to prove that if a person died from taking tartar emetic that would be poisoning by antimony. This witness was called evidently for the P a y pose of supporting the words In the md etBlent. _ This closed case for the CrownMr Joynt submitted that the indictment discloses no offence, as it alleges the udminiatiation of a certain deadly poison called antimony, while the experts evidence, especially Professor Black s, was that the metal antimony was not poisonous in poisoning cases the particular poison should be scientifically described . His Honor held that common language was sufficient. Mr Joynt then said the common mean hag of antimony was metal, which experts said was non-poiaonons ; in the indictment a substance'not apoion is called poison.a The Attorney-General replied that the evidence showed that poisoning by antimony was a common phrase. Ho argued that it was not even nece:sary that the particular poison should be specified There was no variation between the indictment and what had been proved. His Honor held there was nothing to make the indictment bad on the face of if, and the case should go to the jury. Mr Joynt asked that the point be reserved, and the Judge said he would
Consider whether or not he would, do so. Mr Hay called evidence as to Miss Houston’s character, from which it appeared she had come from England to Wellington, and had been nurse in the hospital here before going to Timaru. All the witnesses gave her an excellent character Dr Guthrie, of Christchurch, gave medical evidence which demonstrated that there had been no improper relatione between accused and any other person. Mr Joyrt called no witnesses. The Attorney-General said he would forego his right of reply. He then addressed the jury, referring first to the case against Miss Houston, and warning the jury that they should not find her gui ty if they considered the facts we<e consistent with her innocence ; or if the facts bore a double aspect of > eing equally consistent with guilt or innocence, they should acquit her. He distinguished between the case against her and the case against Hall. He submitted that Hall s bankruptcy and gain hy bis wife’s death had been fully pro-ed. He submitted that it was proved Mrs Hall was poisoned, and reviewed the evidence as to Hall’s connection with the poison. It WM evident that morphia had net dulled Hall’s mental faculties. He sub mitted the evidence pointed to the cm - elusion that Hall had csrefuHy planned to kill his wife for months and that the jury could come to no other deo ! sion thin that he deliberately planned to mntder her. Still they should acqutt him if there was Bay reasonable theory by v h'.oh the facts could be explained consistent with innocence.
Mr Joynt commenced by asserting that the jury were bound by the dati mentioned in the indictment August 15. His Honor ruled against him
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1373, 18 October 1886, Page 3
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565THE HALL CASE. Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1373, 18 October 1886, Page 3
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