SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 14 August 1900, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

THE STYCHE CASE, [PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ohkistchurch, August 13, At the opening of the criminal sessions, Mr. Justice Martin reviewed the Styche case. He said it was of a most extraordinary nature, and of a kind seldom brought into a Court. He did not know of any similar case. After detailing the facts, which he said were exceedingly simple, His Honor said it was for the Grand Jury to eay whether there was a prima facie case. If they thought the letters bore the construction that Styche oflered .£2OO for a certificate of his wife's death they should find a true bill. They could only rely on the expert's evidence as to whether Styche wrote the letters, but they had the fact that the typewriter with which they were written was damaged after Styche's conversation with Dr, Olayton, and his account of the damage did not agree with the expert's testimony. He referred to the fact that the Crown had not alleged a motive, and went on to say that; it was impossible to dive into men's minds for a motive. While prcof of a motive was strong, corroborativo evidence of guilt ! was absent. There was no reason why they should not find a true bill if they believed there was a prima facie case.

A true bill was found in the esse of manslaughter against Diver in J. Y. Daley's case. Later. At the Supreme Court", William Alfred Packer pleaded guilty tolarcjny of a bicycle, and was placed on probation for six months. William llowa wsb found guilty of having stein ei watcb, and was also admitted to probation for six months, Julius Cantor, alias Louis Soreßson, was convicted u! having assaulted Wm, Si.npson str.d robbed him of money and a watcb. Prisoner, against whim there • was a long list of previous couvic'ions, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. Richard Walton pleaded guilty to the theft of a horse, saddle, and bi idle and watch and chain, and was sentenced to tbrae months. John Williams, a coloured man, with a long list of previous convictions, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and stealing two i watches. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. Charles Heatley pleaded guilty and diaries Richards not guilty to stealing a watch from a man with whom they had been drinking. Each was sentenced to twelve months. Alexander Young Hay and Wm. Allan pleaded guilty to having stolen various sums amounting to ££sß3 18s 6d, the property of clients of the Bank of New Zealand at Rangiora. Counsel for Hay said that bis client bad expressed the utmost contrition, and had offered to make what restitution he could, and had given the officers all the assistance in bis power, He was an elderly man with a wife and family. Counsel for Allan dwelt on the influence which the elder man must have had over him. His Honor said the prisoners had evidently kept a system of accounts that had enabled them to carry on their defalcations in comparative security. He attached greater importance to the offence of the elder prisoner, but in consideration of his years he would be as lenient as Eel could in the matter of sentence, He could not, however, shut iiis eyes to the fact that Hay had to an extent led his subordinate astray. Hay was sentenced to five years and Allan to four years. Josephine Webb pleaded guilty to two charges of having unlawfully used instruments to procure a miscarriage, and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Alfred George Driscoll pieaded guilty to two charges of burglary, and was sentenced to two years. The Grand Jury found true bills in all the cases on the calendar. I It is expected that the Styche case will be taken on Wednesday.