The Chemis Case

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 33, 31 August 1889, Page 2

The Chemis Case

THE PERJURY CHARGES AGAINST THE POLICE. | PER UNITED VRESS ASSOCIATION. I Wellington, August 29. On the Court resuming after lunoh Coyle admitted that the search made by him was not a complete one. Evidence was given relative to handing over the articles to the Government Analyst, who also deposed that the knife was a single-edged one like an ordinary butcher's knife. Found rust on it but no traces of blood. It might have been in the creek some weeks. If it had been covered with blood and thrown in the creek the water might have washed the blood off. Ebenezer Bound stated that the shot pouch produced on Wednesday was similar to the one he bought. James Gibson recalled, stated he had never before seen the sheath or knife now produced. Frederick Greaves, re called, was examined by Mr Bell, and said that Gibson had told witness some time before the shooting season that he (Gibson) had lent a shot pouch to Chemis. Did not get the shot pouch. As far aB witness could' recollect he was told when there that the shot pouch was not at Chemis. Believed Chemis told him it was not there. The . day after witness brought away the knife i he saw Gibson, and told him he had brought down the knife, but that Chemis said ih it the shot pouch was not there. Never saw a sheath or knife like those now produced in or about Chemis house, or anywhere else. August 80. On the perjury case resuming this morning, Mr Graham, R.M., said he i itended to exclude all evidence relating to the discovery of the pouch and knife last Sunday from the case, as it was not relevant to the charge. He also would receive no further evidence on that point. Mr Jellicoe eiid it had been suggested by the defence that the articles had been in the possession of Chemis, and the onus of ownership being thrown on the prosecution, he was attempting to disprove it. He was simply doing his duty, and would tender evidence, and the Court could reject it if it thought proper. The evidence this morning was unimportant. Mr Jellicoe wished to prove that the knife found on Sunday could not produce the cuts made in Hawkins' clothes. The Court upheld Mr Bell's objection that the evidence was irrelevant. After further unimportant evidence Mr Jellicoe intimated that the case for the prosecution had closed, and he would address the Bench in the afternoon. Evidence in the perjury case against Detective Benjamin having been finished this morning, Mr Jellicoe summed up this afternoon, his address occupying two hours. He reviewed at length the evidence adduced, chiefly as to its bearing on the evidence given by Detective Benjamin at Chemis trial. Mr Jellicoe contended that there was ample evidence to send the case for trial.

In reply to Mr 8011, the Magistrate 3aid he was not prepared to say at present whether there was a case to answer 01 not. He would take time to consider the voluminous evidence, and on Monday would intimate whether the defence should show cause why they should not be committed for trial.