WESTPORT BORDER CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2410, 27 January 1909, Page 5

WESTPORT BORDER CASE

APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF VEN UE. [’Press Association..] WESTPORT, Ja m 26. The hearing of the charge of die murder of Ernest John Burke against Win. Connelly was resumed to-day, when evidence was given by Dr. Simpson, juiird who examined the body in McLoughlan’s shed, and lai n- in tire morgue. His evidence was similar to that given in the previous trials to the effect that death was due to shock from injuries received from a blow by a blunt or -sharp instrument. He did not notice signs of drink on the deceased, hut admitted that the effect of the shock might have been more severe had he been drinking than otherwise.

At the conclusion Mr. Doogan, counsel for the accused, assuming that there would bo a committal to glie f-ki-pronro Court, asked for a committal to Christchurch, contending that it is scarcely in the interests,of justice to send the accused either to Nelson or Hokitika, where previous trials had taken place. He cited authorities in support of his application, hut the Magistrate could not see that he had muter to comply with it. It was: finally decided to adjourn the ease to 10 a.m. to-morrow,, the Crown Solicitor m -he meantime to ascertain if the Crown law author ities at Wellington arc* agreeable to the application made by accused’s counsel.