THE LYTTELTON MURDER.

Evening Star, Issue 3784, 10 April 1875, Page 2

THE LYTTELTON MURDER.

[Br TkLKOEAVH.] ChbistohuboS, April 9. At the Supreme Court this morning John Mercer was arraigned for the murder of Isabella Thomoson at Lyttelton. The 'Star’ makes the following remarks on the case: —"As might have been anticipated, the interest centred in this case showed itself in an unmistaxable manner by the large number of persons who sought admission to the -supreme Court this morning. For a considerable time prior to the opening of the Court a large number of persons assembled outside with a view of obtaining the best places that were available. Immediately on the doors being thrown open, precautionary measures had been taken by the Sheriff, Dr Back, in order that there should be no unseemly scramble for seats; and owing to the efficient way in which his instructions were carried out by the police no confusion of any kind occurred The public gallery was opened to everybody, and it may be guessed that in a very few minutes it was closely packed. The consequ nee was that many were unable to obtain admission. The precincts of the Court were also crowded by a large number of people, who remained there with a view of obtaining a sight of the prisoner, but it was only m' a few instances that this morbid curiosity was gratified. It may be noted that amongst the auditory there was a very smal sprinkling of females. The pris mer was brought up by the nine o’clock tr dn from Lyttelton, and conveyed from the railway station to the Courthouse in a ’bus, together with other prisoners and a number of warders. On his arraignment he appeared to be most thoroughly self -possessed, and gaz- d round the Court with a degree of sang froid that was quite at variance with the serious nature of the charge on which he was indicted. There was the usual crush forward of heads to catch a glimpse of the prisoner on his being placed in the dock, bat he made no effort whatever to escape the scrutinising glances that were directed towards him. In general appearance he looks like one belonging to the artisan class, and a physiognomist must indeed have wonderful powers of iisurimination who could single him out from a lumber of other people, and induce the belief chat he of all the rest was calculated to commit such a hideous tragedy as that lor which he now stands upon his trial. When the indictment was read over to him by the learned Registrar, and he was asked to plead, he uttered the words “ Not Guilty ” with a clear and audible articulation, and subsequently scrutinised the memoers of the jury as the result o the ballot called them to take their seats in the jury-box. Eight witnesses have been examined, and all the evidence is very strong against the prisoner. Mr T, J. Joyntis the prisoner’s counsel . . April 10. The trial was continued this morning. The case for the Crewn, which is exceedingly strong, closed a little after noon. No witnesses will be called for the defence.