Address of Miss Houston's Counsel.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 175, 23 October 1886, Page 5 (Supplement)

Address of Miss Houston's Counsel.

Mr Hay commenced Mb address at 11.20. Ho said it was not necessary to speak at great length, because the jury must already have perceived that the charge against Miss Houston had completely broken down, and that not one of the imputations made against her had been substantiated in any detail. There was not a tittle of evidence submitted to show that «he as much as knew or suspected anything of the poisoning. She had been subjected to great slander during the last three months, so he put it to them that she must have not morely an acquittal but a complete vindicati'>n of her character. That she must go forth without a stain or blemish on that life of which they had heard somothing from the witnesses called on her behalf. ' Counsel next referred to the rumours circulated on the eve of this trial with regard to the alleged poisioning of Captain Cain, and earnestly urged on the iury the necessity of removing from their minds all impressions caused thereby. It should' be borne in mind that Mi3B Houghton first entered Hall's house held in February this year. ' Apparently she was arrested in the first place because it was thought that Hall had shown some aflection for her. This motive, however, was soon found to Ibe erroneous. As to the motive of wanting his wife'B money, attributed to Hall for the commission of the crime, directly that ground was taken up it was the duty of prosecution to have released the female prisoner. Counsel then went through the evidence, commenting on it, and making several points in favour of hie clients.