ALLEGED CHILD MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2153, 22 January 1891, Page 3

ALLEGED CHILD MURDER.

At the E.M. Court, Christchurch, on Tuesday last the charge of child murder preferred against Daniel Flanagan, Anna Flanagan, and Sarah Jane Flanagan was heard. The court waß crowded by the public. Mr T. W. {stringer appeared for the accused, and Mr Inspector Pender conducted the prosecution. The evidence adduced was almost identical with that given at the inquest, and of which we have published a resume. \ While Chief Detective O'Connor was giving his evidence as to their being apparently spots of blood on a dress and ulster found in Miss Flanagan's room, the accused Sarah Jane Flanagan hysterically cried out, " There is no blood oa my clothes. I can't stand it. It is all lies. If it was the truth I would not mind. Oh, Johnny (to her brother), I murdered no one," It was some time before the accused could be calmed. She kept repeating " There is no blood on my clothes. I never did anything." j Sergeant Briggs gave evidence to the effect that the male prisoner bad not reported the alleged murder of his daughter's child, or entered the matter in his diary. Johansen, a cabdriver, residing in Weld street, said he often came down Gloucester street. Knew the unoccupied house No. 11, in Gloucester street. Saw the two female accused there on the night of the 7th inst. He saw the woman in the front garden before he got up to the house. ] [Jane Flanagan, here cried out I" Speak plain and let me hear the man. I was not in the garden."] Witness, continuing, said that when opposite the house he saw them come out. He knew the women well. He

did not know what they were doing there, On the conclusion of the evidence Mr Stringer addressed the court, and said that as far as the female accused were concerned they would reserve their defence. With reference to Flanagan he contended that there was not a particle of evidence on which to send the case to trial, either on a charge of murder or as an accessory after the fact. Flanagan would know nothing more than the female accused told him, and he would not necessarily know a murder had been cmmitted, but it was natural be would assist his daughter to hide her shame and prevent disgrace falling upon himself. There was no evidence that Flanagan was present when the murder was committed, but he bad been told seme story, the truth of which remains to be proyed hereafter, The fact that he had been told the story, whether he believed it or not, would not be sufficient evidence on which to send him for trial. It would be unfair to commit him for trial, and deprive the females of the means of assistance in obtaining evidence in support of their story, if there was anything in it, as he was the only one who could pursue the matter. He pointed out that the coroser's jury did not ; mention Flanagan as having been concerned in the murder, And he took that as evidence that they did net believe him guilty. The bench, after consultation for a few moments, said it had been decided to commit all the accused for trial. i

The accused were then formally committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court.