ELSIE HOLLAND’S DEATH

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1076, 30 November 1911, Page 3

ELSIE HOLLAND’S DEATH

CHARGE OF MURDER,

THE THIRD TRIAL

Auckland, November 28,

The circumstances iu connection with the death of Elsie Holland, at a house iu First Avenue, Kingsland, on June 13 last, again engaged the attention of his Honour, Mr Justice Chapman and a jury, in the Supreme Court yesterday. Martha Jane O’Shaughnessy, formerly known as Maxwell, was charged with murder. Under this charge prisoner has been tried on two previous occasions, and, on both occasions, the jury had disagreed, a retrial being ordered. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, has been iu gaol since her first appearance some mouths ago in the Lower Court, bail havingbeen refused. Mr R. A. Singer appeared for prisoner, and the Hon. J. A. Tole for the Crown.

Mr Tole outlined the case for the Crown, and evidence was then taken. Among the witnesses, James Warner, a law writer, who had accompanied deceased to the Kiugslaud tram terminus from Symouds Street on Monday evening, June 12, was examined at length. He stated that he knew of deceased’s condition, and knew from what she told him where she was going that night. Witness then went on to say that he did not go with deceased to any house, nor did he see her go to any house. He did not know if she knew Mrs O’Shaughuessy. Albert Williams, a young man who was employed as barman iu the Waverley Hotel iu June last, and who has been iu gaol for attempting to leave the Dominion, next gave evidence. He held to his statement, made at previous trials, that he had been asked by Mr or Mrs O’Shaughuessy on Monday morning, June 12, to change (rom the bedroom next u. bathroom where Miss Holland died, to a bedroom at the back of the house. In reply to his Honoui witness said: “I slept in the room at the back of the house.” ‘‘Whose idea was it that you should say you slept iu the room next to the bathroom ?” asked Air Tole, and witness replied, “Mr O’Shaughuessy’s.” Edith M’Dowell, a stylishlydressed young woman, who had been with Williams at Mrs O’Shaugnessy’s house on Tuesday evening, June 13, said that, while iu the back room, she had heard a girl moaning in another pail of the house. Evidence was given by Dr. Brockway and Constable Wainhouse, and the Court then adjourned till to-morrow. GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER. RECOMMENDED TO MERCY. SENTENCE DEFERRED.

Auckland, November 29. The trial of Martha Jane O’Shaughnessy was continued in the Supreme Court yesterday. A quietly-dressed woman named Minnie Whittington said that iu July she visited prisoner, who operated upon her once at the house at First Avenue, Kiugslaud, and a second time iu witness’s own house. Witness had heard of Miss Holland’s death, and spoke of it to Mrs O’Shaughnessy, who remarked that it was not her case. Mr Singer did not call any witnesses for the defence. Alter both counsel had addressed the jury his Honour summed up. The jury retired at about 5.30 p.m. and returned at 9.15 p.m., with a verdict of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account ot the suspense tue prisoner had undergone during the last three trials. Sentence was deferred.