WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 96, 20 May 1909, Page 2

WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christehuveh, Last Night.

The Westporl murder trial was continued. The case for the defence closed with the completion of the evitle-.UY of Constable Buttar, who in substance corroborated the previous witnesses as to what occurred at Coekerv r Hotel when lTnllinen illustrated how he had assaulted somvuue the previous evening. Crossexamined, he stated lie enquired at the Empire Hotel us to llallineifs statement | thai he had been there on the night of the murder, but he had not enquired at I the theatre.

Rebutting evidence was called b.v the Crown, llallincn, in his evidence, described the movements of himself, Anderson and llaakonson on the night of the murder, showing that at the time tlw murder wan supposed to occur the three were at the theatre. His evidence was supported by that of llaakonson. iMargitret Shaw, Alfred Webber. Bill Karooz, Edward Beswick, Ivy l'earce, Lilly l'earce. llenrv Ohristenscn, Cyril Thompson and l'eter Robb, ail of whom Wert' subjected to a close cross-examina-tion liy Mr. Hanlon, but were uns'haken hi essentials, though several admitted that the times given by thvui were fixed by guessing, gave evidence as to the movements of Hallincn. Robb verified Ilallinen's statement regarding his fight with a steward of the Talune on the night of the murder. . Mr. Hanlon, in reply to his Honor, said lie had no further evidence, and the case closed. Counsel will address the Court tomorrow.