KOERBIN CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1928, Page 3

KOERBIN CASE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. Evidence for the Crown in the Ivoerbin case concluded this morning. Presenting the case for the defence, .Mr Sievwright said that accused denied any attempt to injure Koerbin. The parties were not on good terms, and Mrs Koerbin’s evidence would indicate that she wanted to do something that would stop her husband’s conduct. The poison was obtained for showing the husband that she could retaliate. The action was only a gesture. The tin was left in the scullery so that the husband could see it. She thought it was harmless powder, but wanted the husband to think it was dangerous. She placed the stuff in a box where she knew her husband would find it and say “Look here, what’s the meaning of this. Let’s have a settlement of our differences.” Sho left the dining room slide open so Koerbin could see her putting the stuff in the food. She knew he would not eat it. She would deny that she

put the glass in the food, and tlie only inference could be that Koerbin put the glass in the food. Koerhin’s vomiting was due to his over indulgence in liquor taken at parties. The other sickness was duo to cold. When accused was giving evidence, Mr Maeassov objected to the line of examination, saying it was known that there had been domestic troubles. His Honour remarked: The worse

you make out Koerbin to lie, Mr Sievwright, the stronger you make the case against yourself. You show your client had all the more reason to get rid of him. GUILTY OF ADMINISTERING POTSOX. WELLINGTON, Aug. I. The case against Mrs Ivoerhin concluded to-dav. Tho jury returned a verdict of not guilty of attempted murder, but found accused guilty of attempting to administer poison with an attempt to injure or annoy. Tho jury also brought in a strong recommendation of mercy. Under cross-examination, the accused said that she did not think the poison would do harm nor did she tell tho detectives that she had put poison in the food simply to frighten him. Although her husband was objectionable, she did not leave the honsej because she had two children. She considered her husband was worth about Lo0,0(X). Mr Sievwright asked the jury to dismiss the charge of attemped murder, and submitted that there was no evidence that the accused ever administered poison, or that she even did anything with intent to injure or annoy her husband. He said there was nothing secretive about her actions.

Air Macassov declared that the defence advanced was the most extraordinary one that lie had ever heard.