SUPREME COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 77, 17 August 1912, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

WELLINGTON SESSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day. before Mr. Justice Chapman, Ernest Alfred Le Cren stood his second trial on a charge of having committed an indecent act, with intent to insult a female. The court was cleared during the hearing and publication of the evidence was prohibited. The jury retired at 3.15 p.m. and returned at 5.25 p,m. with a veTdiet of guilty of the indecent act, but not guilty of intent to insult or offend. His Honor: It is my duty on that finding to direct you to acquit the accused. CIIRISTCHUItCH SESSIONS. Ohristchurch, Last Night. The criminal sittings of the Supreme Court were continued to-divv. Frederick Joshua Webley pleaded guilty to indecent assault. His Honor said that he would postpone sentence in oijder to have some inquiries made as to the best thing to do with the man. Bridget Chalk, a middle-aged woman, was charged with performing an illegal operation on Martha Henderson at Ka'iapoi, and causing the death of Martha Henderson, and did thereby commit murder. A verdict of manslaughter was returned, with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of prisoner's age. A sentence of eight years' imprisonment was passed. Frank Gascombe, charged >with the manslaughter of his wife by inflicting injuries by a blow on the chin, which caused death, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. IN DIVORCE. Auckland, Friday. In the Supreme Court a decree nisi was granted in the case Francis Fletcher v. Elizabeth Fletcher, desertion. Petitioner is a master mariner at Westport.