COATS’ CONVICTION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1931, Page 6

COATS’ CONVICTION

v APPEAL TO COURT. ON ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE. 'By Telegraph—Per Press Association) \ WELLINGTON, December 4. After Coats was convicted of murder at Wellington on 11th November, hi? coitus el requested the trial Judge to reserve for the opinion oi the Court oi Appeal the following questions: — Whether a statement made by Coats ito ji police, officer on 6th July was properly admitted in evidence - at the trial, ,and whether the trial Judge wrongly directed the jury in warning /hem that the life of the accused was not' necessarily forfeit it he were collected of murder. The request was granted and the Court of. Appeal consisting, the Urief Justice, Sir M. Myers, Justices Adams, Ostler and Smith, is hearing argument of those questions to-day. Dealing with the first point, counsel for Coats, ' after reading the evidence of Detective Murray given .at the trial, submitted the form and nature o'' the police investigation and examination of Coats was such as to make a statement made by him, whilst at the police station, inadmissible. He contended that the conduct of the police, in boiling Coats from early morning till 1.15 a.m. the following morning, was reprehensible. A statement extracted from him after a long wait at the police station, was likely to be an .untrue and forced one. Proceeding.