TRIAL FOR MURDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 888, 4 February 1930, Page 11

TRIAL FOR MURDER

OLDFIELD TO APPEAR IN TIMARU WIFE’S TRAGIC DEATH Press Association TIMARU, Today. The Supreme Court opened todav before Mr. Justice Adams. There are three cases for adjudication, charges of alleged murder, of alleged negligent, driving and of alleged indecent assault. Addressing the Grand Jury, his Honour expressed regret at the three charges. Referring to the charge of murder against Jack Oldfield. his Honour said it appeared that accused was at the war, where he was wounded on the head and leg. After referring to domestic matters during the interval between his return from the war and the alleged commission of the crime his Honour made reference to the murder, relating the evidence given at the preliminary trial, and said that the Grand Jury should have no difficulty in dealing with the case. Referring to the second case of alleged negligent driving his Honour said that the outcome of a collision was a fatal accident, the charge being brought under the Motor Vehicles Act, which made it a punishable crime if a person drove a motor-car negligently, thereby causing the death of a human being. Here again the Grand Jury should experience no difficulty in arriving at a bill. The jury returned a true bill after a short retirement. It is understood that the Oldfield case will be heard tomorrow.