LIVERMORE TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1932, Page 5

LIVERMORE TRIAL

. CASE RE-OPENS ■ MURDER OF A YOUNG GIRL; (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, August 8. ■ The trial began, to-day before Mr Justice Reed and a jury, p‘f Frank Livermore, aged 20, who is charged with murdering Vera Margaret Forster, aged 4;} years, at Upper Hntt, ;on the loth o - April. If is expected to last at least two dr vs. - The Crown Prosecutor, said it was understood that , the defence • would lie. insanity, hut the law was that, every? body was presumed, sane until the contrary Was proved. , , , • Two Counsel appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty.' The evi-. dence for the Crown followed that given in the lower Court in June. '

The Crown Prosecutor read the accused’s statement admitting murdering the girl to prevent her telling that lie had been interfering with Tier. Mrs Forster, describing the prisoner as frequently showing signs of depression, said he seemed to think ho could make money writing books. Shu. snw two storioa which were rather weird. ‘ .

The Judge asked whether any ol these stories was • available. The accused’s Counsel; said he thought one was, He would try and produce It. . • , ’■ < Evidence was given ns to the search and finding of the body, and the arrest. of the accused.’

The top of, the girl’s skull was produced in Co"vt "pd it revealed that if bad been battered. _ . The Court adjourned till to-morrow.

EVIDENCE OF INSANITY. WELLINGTON, August 9. Wh'en. the Court resumed in the murder charge ogiinst Livermore to-day, the Crown said he would close his basevy'subieijf to being allowed to call 'ekidgnee in Rebuttal 1 , if it was thought, necessary,’ of the medical evi- - donee for fh^deferioe; 7 The, prisoner’s record •wlie’i he was under care of the Child Welfare Department was put in, and it was admitted by the CroAvn that Livermore’s mother died in a mental hospital in 1917. ' Evidence was given by. Dr. D. H. Fenwick Vito said he was . satisfied' .that" Livermore was «nd was certifiable for some time prior to the act with which he was charged. HA. based his opinion on three things, his .demeanour throughout- witness examination; his statements to witness or conversation with him and his «history, i With'ess gave evidence in detail as to why ha reached h a conclusion that Livermore definitely was iusane. ■' •,