THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 242, 18 November 1909, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER

ROBERTS ON TRIAL,

I By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchureh, Wednesday. The trial of Arthur John Wilsoi t Roberts on a charge of murdering Alio 11 Edith Newman (the Silver Grid case; 1 began in the Supreme Court to-da/ be s fore Mr. Justice Dcnniston. Accuse;, y pleaded not guilty. !■ Mr. Stringer, K.C., who ap;K.usd !oi t the prosecution, in opening the case e said Roberts was one of Die fill's main j adniiiciri and was very jealous. Ci.uiisei attributed the murder to this cause , lie traced Roberts' movements before J and after the murder, his ooining into the possession of the revolver found in t ' his pocket after arrest, and read letters found in accused's possession indicating about his taking his own life Counsel added the case was so c:car that it ' might 'be wondered what the possible defence could be. Probably ir was-.hat ' Roberts was not responsible for Lis i.e----1 tions and was entitled to an a.-quitlnl 1 on that ground. On that point the onu= i rested with the defence to establish af- '■ firmatively that Roberts was not responsible. THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE. Christchureh, Last Night. In opening for the defence, Mr. Hunter submitted that the Crown had failed to show that Roberts had not left the Silver Grid on the night of the murder after saying that he would see the witness Warwick at eight o'clock next morning. There was also nothing to show that Roberts had a revolver on him when he was at the Silver Grid. Another significant fact was that there was no blood found on the prisoner or on liis clothes. Further, his whole conduct was inconsistent with the commission of a brutal murder, In regard to the incriminating letters, it would be submitted that there was no confession contained in these letters, which a constable said Roberts was writing in the Prcbbleton Hotel when arrested. It was simply that of a lad of suicidal tendencies, and it had reference to his own proposed suicide. These letters were in prisoner's possession before the tragedy took place. The evidence was not sufficient to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that prisoner committed the crime. There was also the defence that prisoner , if he did commit the crime, was not responsible for his actions, mi evidence would be called to show tint lie Had not a reasonable or ordinary degree of mentality.

Evidence was then given or outline'.! by counsel for the accused. The case is continuing to-light Christchurch, Later. The evidence for the defence closed to-night. The addresses of counsel will be heard to-morrow.