Criminal Trials

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7889, 3 August 1905, Page 3

Criminal Trials

(IVr Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug 2. At the Supreme Court. Mads Ilrodersen. a tottering. half-Wind man, Mifleritig from a seven' attpek of bronchitis, who had to he'alitiost lifted into the dock by a polio; eoflstable. was charged with (having committed incest with bis granddaughter, Mary Eliapbcth Bicxlcrscn.. ag.d fifteen ar«l a half years, at F.ktherston. on April 1, 1901. lie. pleaded not guilty. The Crown prosecutor said the accused was the grandfather of Mary Elizajieth Ili*oderscn, who was the daughter of his son, Andrew liro-d.-Tsen, and of Elizabeth lirodersen In the l>eginning of 1902 Andrew TlrnJ.'rs-n his wile 1 'nt jway lo Samoa, and left their daughter in the tar. ; <,f her grandfather. with whom she remained until 190.1, Ijvinii with him at Featherstoln. On •lan. last the girl was delivered of a child, and it was chjaigyd »- gainst accused) that he was the father of thpt chiJti. ITie jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a Strong n-commcndh-tion to mercy on the grounds nf the prisoner's age, his infirmity, fiffil previous good character. Prisoner was remanded for sentence till next day.

Jamo* Campbell was arjpiittgd of a ch of assault with intent t/> do grievous bodily ilarin. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 2.

At the Supreme Court to-day William Powers, an elderly nun convicted of having carnally known a girl between the aprs of ten and twelve, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Leonard Sheard was acquitted ol having indecently assaulted a little girl in Hagley Park on the evening of June in, as an alibi was established by the defence. John Collins was sentenced to eighteen months, and Thomas Williams to nine months, for breaking and entering a grocer's shop and stealing a quantity of tobacco, cigarettes and groceries. Louis Davis was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for forging a for £35. .James Pringle Amos and George Moir Crockett pleaded guilty to having set fire to a building in Manchester Street. Applications were made that accused *h-uiM be recommended for the clrmcncy of the Crown, and after discussion Mr Justice Denniston ordered that the cases should stand over till next session in orßer that he might take the opinion of the other Judges as to whether the English practice existed in New Zlulwl.