IDENTIFICATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1699, 15 March 1913, Page 8

IDENTIFICATION.

: • FINGER-PRINT EVIDENCE. (By Telosraph.—Presa Association.) Auckland, March 14. A. Maori named I'ati Renata, about whose identity there has been some, dispute, was brought up for sentence at the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Cooper, on a charge of theft. The Crown Prosecutor intimated that ho had absolute proof that Renata was identical with a Maori named Matini, who was convicted of theft at Thames during 1910. Detective Cooncy, of the Thames, sworo that Renata, under tho ntuuo of Matthews, alias Matini, had been convicted of theft at Thames. On that occasion lus fingerprints had been taken. Allan Bell, warder at Mount Eden Gaol, deposed that accused was the Native previously convicted of theft. He produced fingerprints signed by Matthews, alias Matina. Edgar Hookor, warder, produced fingerprints taken on January 18, 1912. Detective Waterman, finger-print expert, sworo that the different finger-prints produced were identical in all respects, and wero those of Renata. . His Honour: Do j;ou still deny that you were the man convicted at Thames?

Renata: Certainly, I' do. His Honour: But tho ovidenco is conclusive. His Honour wont on. to explain that three witnesses had sworn that accused and Matini were identical. In addition there was the evidence of fingerprints, which could not lie. Accused pleaded that further inquiries might bo made, but his Honour -said the case was perfectly clear. Ho would, sentence Renata to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour, and order liim to be retained for reformative treatment for a period not exceeding two years.