WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3102, 27 January 1909, Page 5

WESTPORT MURDER TRIAL.

By Telegraph—Press Association. WESTPORT, January 26. The hearing of the charge of murder of Ernest John Burke against Wm Connelly was resumed today, when evidence was given by Dr Simpson, junr., who examined the body in McLauchlan's shed and later in, the morgue. This evidence was similar to that given in previous trials to the effect that death was due to shock from injuries received from a blow by a blurit or sharp instrument. He did not notice - signs of drink on the deceased, but admitted that the effect of the shock might have been more severe had he been drinking. At the conclusion, Mr Doogan, counsel for the accused, assuming that there would be a committal to the Supreme Court, asked for a committal to Christchurch, contending that it was scarcely in the interests of Justice to send accused either to Nelson or Hokitika where the previous trials had taken place. Counsel cited authorities in support of his application, but the Magistrate could not sse that he had power to comply with it. Finally he decided to adjourn the case to 10 a.m. tomorrow, the Crown Solicitor in the meantime to ascertain if the Crown law authorities at Wellington are agreeable to the application made by accused's counsel.