THE SEVERED HAND CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2267, 10 April 1886, Page 2

THE SEVERED HAND CASE.

(UKITEO PEESS ASSOCIATION,) Chbisichceoh, April 8. At tho Supremo Court this morning the hearing of tlio ■ charges of conspiracy in connection with what has conic to bo known as the "Severed Hand Case" was commenced. Arthur Robert Ramage Howard, Jan* Anno Howard (alias Kennear), Frederick Godfry, and Elisha Godfrey pleaded nut guilty to three indictments charging them with conspiracy to defraud the Mutual Life Association of Australia of £IOOO, the Accident Association of ftew Zealand of £4OO, and the New Zealand Government Life Insurance Association of £IOO. Mr Harper, with him Mr Martin, appeared for the Crown, Mr Joynt appeared for Howard, Mr Stinger for Mrs Howard, and Mr Holmes for the two Godfreys. Mr Harper, in opening for the Crown, iecapitulated the facts which have already been published in connection with the case. His Honor asked if the prosecution were in a position to show that the Godfreys were aware that Howard's wife was insured in the Mutual Life Association. Mr Harper believed the prosecution would be in a position to do so before the close of the case. He would prove that Mrs Howard had not been legally married. Mr Joynt intended to contend and prove that tho marriage was perfectly good. His Honor Mr Justice Johnston, thought that were the marriage good, the chareo of conspiracy might be gone, but the second count of attempting to defraud would still re- j main against Howard. It was shown by! the evidence that Howard had transferred all his life insurance policies to his wife. When the Court adjourned at 5,30 p.m. the case was unfinished. Later. The severed hand case was continued all day, and the case for the prosecution closed at 4 p.m. Holmes applied for the discharge of Frederick GoJfrey, against whom there was not a tittle of evidence. Justice Johnston thought that as a point of law, there was something to go to fho jury, but no doubt the case as regarded Godfreys stood on quite a different footing from that against Howards. It is hardly likely the case will be concluded to-day, and the jury will probably be locked up all Sunday.