SUPREME COURT, HOKITIKA.

Kumara Times, Issue 2351, 11 March 1884, Page 2

SUPREME COURT, HOKITIKA.

CRIMINAL JURISDICTION. Monday, March 10. [Before his Honor Mr Justice Williams.] His Honor took his seat on the Bench precisely at 10 o'clock. The Court being declared open for business, the following Grand Jurors were sworn : —Messrs E. Lockington, W. Kenny, James Drumraond, J. Lange, L. Northcroffc, H. P. P. M'Keever, A. C. Campbell, W. H. Riding, J. Hall, W. D. Banks, J. Maher, J. Benniog, R. Gosson, J. P. Will, P. Dungan, A. Somerville, A. Spence, F. J. Barker, S. Pizzey, J. M'Beatb, and J. Turner. Mr John Hall was chosen foreman. His Honour addressing the Grand Jury said they had three cases to consider, one of arson, one of murder, and one of cattle stealing. With regard to the cattle stealing case they would find no difficulty. In the arson case two persons named Hughes and Maloney were charged with setting fire to a building the property of Hughes. Hughes left Maloney in charge, and while he was away the place caught fire. It was clear that H ughes did not set fire to the building. The suggestion of the prosecution was that Maloney set fire to it at the suggestion of Hughes. If so, Hughes was equally as guilty as Maloney. It was for the jury to say whether there was a prima facie case against the prisoners. There waa also a charge of murder. The accused and the man that was murdered were seen together on the sth January. Their way home was the same and accused left first, twenty minutes after the deceased also left. Each would have to go along the same road. The body of the deceased was found next morning with certain articles near sought to be identified as the property of the accused, who was arrested on the 6th. Accused had a black eye and scratches which he said he had got by falling over a fern. This was suggested by the prosecution to be untrue. Deceased died by stabbing, and whoever murdered him must have been spattered with blood. His Honour then dismissed the jury to determine whether the cases before them demanded that the accused should be put on their trial to answer them. True bills were found against William Smith for cattle stealing, John Donohue for murder, and John Hughes and J. Maloney for arson, SHOOTING A COW. William Smith was indicted that on the 25th January, ISB4,Jie feloniously did kill a cow, with intent to steal and carry away the carcase, the property of Henry Burroughs, of Okarito. The prisouer pleaded not guilty, »nd was defended by Mr Gainunss. The following jurymen were sworn: William Morris (foreman), William Killeen, John Jackson, Stephen 8.-n----liow, James Morgan, Alexander Ni-lu'! <, George Drury, Stephen Gioss-.p. Michael Murphy, W. M-.oilj. f). Priest aud S. Jack.

The prisoner's counsel challenged J. S. Pearn and J. Clokepoot. Mr Purkiss, Crown Prosecutor, briefly opened the case and called several witnesses. His Honor summed np the evidence at length. The jury retired at 4.20 p.m. and returned to Court after an absence of twenty minutes, with a verdict of " Not Guilty." The prisoner was discharged. The Court adjourned until 10 o'clock this morning. ♦+♦ DONOHUE'S ALLEGED INSANITY. [from our own correspondent.] Hokitika, March 11, 1.50 p.m. This morning Douohue was placed in the dock on a charge of murder. Counsel for the prisoner stated that Donohue had been examined by medical men and fouud to be insane. A jury was empannelled to inquire and investigate the plea set up. Doctors Hector and King gave definite evidence as to prisoner's insanity. Mr Cleary, gaoler, was also examined, who said he had seen nothing in the prisoner's manner to cause him to think he was insane. The jury retired, but came back again and wishad further evidence. Doctors Morice and Rosetti then examined the prisoner, and gave evidence, also Sergeaut O'Grady. The jury is now considering ther verdict. Later. The jury have just brought in a verdict that Donohue is sufficiently sane to be put on his trial. [prom another correspondent.] Hokitika, March 11, 3.15 p.m. The question of the sanity of Donohue (arraigned for murder) occupied the jury to half-past two o'clock this day. After the evidence of six medical gentlemen had been taken, the jury found that the accused was sufficiently sane to be put on his trial. Drs. Hector and King stated that he was insane, while Drs. Tivy and Rossetti differed frow the two former. Drs. Morice and Clarke would require more time to form an opinion.