The Severed Hand Case

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 129, 10 April 1886, Page 3

The Severed Hand Case

(FU (TOTTED PBBBB ASSOCIATION.) Chbistchubch, Apnl 8

At the Supreme Court this morning the hearing of the charges of the conspiracy in. connection, with what has come to be known as the " severed hand case" was commenced. Arthur Bobert Ramage Howard, Jane Anne Howard (alias Kennear), Frederick Godfrey, and Elisha Godfrey, pleaded not guilty to three indictments charging them with conspiracy to defraud the Mutual Life Association of Australasia of £1000, the Accident Assurance Association of New Zealand of £400, and the New Zealand Government life Insurance Association of £1000. Mr Harper with him Mr Martin, appeared for the Crown, Mr Jbynt appeared for Howard Mr Stringer for Mrs Howard, and Mr Holmes for the two Godfreys. Mr Harper, in opening for the Crown, recapitulated the facts which have been already published in connection with the case. His Honor asked if the prosecution were in a position to show that the Godfreys were aware that Howard's wife was insured in the Mutual life Association. Mr, Harper believed the prosecution would be in a position to do so before the close of the case. He would prove that Mrs Howard had not been legally married. Mr Joynt intended ! to contend and prove that the marriage was perfectly good. His Honor Mr Juttice Johnston thought that were the",marriage good the charge of conspiracy would possibly be gone. Mr liarpar said he thought the conspiracy might be gone, but the second count ef attempting to .defraud would remain against Howard. It was shown by the evidence that Howard had transferred all bis life insurance policies to bis wife. When the court Adjourned at 5.30 p.m. the case was unfinished.