SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2592, 9 December 1893, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

The case in which Ellen Blake is charged with attempting to poison her husband, James Blake, by administering mercury to him, was before the Supreme Court at Wellington on Wednesday. On Thursday James Blake, the husband of the accused, was under examination. He said his wife always prepared his food. He had never bought any white precipitate, nor was he aware that anyone had ever given him any. He certainly had never used it. His wife was kind and attentive to him during his illne -s, and she had no monetary gain to expect from his death. They lived comfortably together. Blake remarked to His Honor that he had not come to Court in any vindictive spirit, and he hoped if there Wets any doubt about the case the prisoner woul i receive the benefit of it. For the defence two of Mrs Blake’s children gave evidence that white precipitate was kept in the house and had been used on their heads. The Chief Justice having summed up, the jury retired at 5.20, and in about an hour returned with a verdict of guilty, at the same time recommending the prisoner to mercy. The judge said he saw no reason for such a recommendation, and sentenced the prisoner to imprisonment for life. The woman, who seemed dazed, did not hear the sentence, and on leaving the dock asked the warder what His Honor had said, but the warder did not give her a direct answer.

At Dunedin on Wednesday, Henry Ginsberg, of Naseby, was found guilty of perjury, but sentence was deferred pending the decision of the Appeal Court as to whether the Court at Naseby, who committed the accused, had jurisdiction. Prisoner was granted bail. David Fogarty, for burglary, and William A. Howson, for embezzlement, were acquitted. Percy Arthur Quinlan was convicted of housebreaking at Oamaru, and was sentenced to two years. On Thursday James Couper pleaded guilty to robbery from the perspn, and was sentenced to three months’ hard labor. The trial of Tofield, for arson, resulted in acquittal.