THE VERDICT. HALL SENTENCED FOR LIFE. MISS HOUSTON ACQUITTED. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, Tuesday. THE HALL POISONING CASE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2229, 21 October 1886, Page 3

THE VERDICT. HALL SENTENCED FOR LIFE. MISS HO USTON ACQUITTED. (BY TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIA TION.) Christchurch, Tuesday.

THE HALL POISONING CASE.

On tho resumption of the trial thus morning, the learned counsel of Hall continued his address to the jury. He asked the judge to direct the jury that unless poison was taken into the stomach, there had boon no administration. Hl3 Honour declined to do so. Mr Joy t it commented on tho Crown leading evidence to show immorality by the accused after the Attorney-General had expressly repudiated thi-> in his opening address. Xt was revolting to touch on this aspect of the case after the evidence for the defence which the jury had heard. The learned counsel went on to speak of the animus ot the two seivant girls against Miss Houstoc. Coming to Hall's confession, he pointed out that at the time of his aricst appearances certainly looked against Hall. Seeing the evidence of poison around him it was probable the words he used were : " You, Miss Houston, are all right. I cannot possibly get out of these suspicions evidences against me." Such statements were made hastily, under feelings of strong excitement, and were not to be taken as deliberate evidence of guilt. Could tho jury believe all the prisoner's acts of solicitude towards his wife went to show not only that lie intended to kill her, but that he was a gi6ss hypocrite as well ? Early in July, befoie there was any suspicion of foul play, Hall asked Nurse Ellison to save some of her excretion for puiposes of analysis. Thi» was the first suggestion as to the advisability of an analysis. Was such conduct consistent with guilt ? Dr Mcljntyre was anxious to nave all the kudos, ' said that he alone had first suggested tho various consultations held. Ntnfee EJlihOn, who was an impartial witness, hud, on the other hand, said that Hall suggested, the first consultation. Instead of wanting to destroy his wife he was anxious for continual consultations, and blamed his family physician for only paying potfurictory visits, In conclusion, the learned counsel said he could only repeat his reflections on the attitude of the Crown in not calling Mrs Hall. She alone could have .spoken to her feelings and symptoms, and tho Crown, in the interests «>f public justice, vverii absolutely bound, for the purpose of the prosecution, to bring forward every piece of available information on which they could l.iy their hands. The Crown had been wanting in their duty in not having called Mrs Hall. They had not to consider any feelings or compassion on her part for those charged with her attempted murder, but they did not put her into the box-, and no explanation for her absence was offered, except the scoff of the Attorney-Caeneral that she might have been called by the defence. The case was lmpregnant with mystery, and no doubt there was circumstances which on the surface showed guilt on Hall's part ; but there were also circumstances beneath the surface which showed innocence, and these cucumstances certainly predominated. Consideting Hall's general conduct and the mainsprings of his action, the jury could come to no other conclusion than that Hall was entitled to acquittal. He myitcd tne jury to say that the case was surrounded with so much doubt and uncertainty that they could not possibly anive at a verdict of poisoning against the prisoners, or against either of them. He asked at their hands ajVerdict of acquittal against Hall. Mr Hay then addressed the jury in defence of MibS Houston, contending that the charge against her had completely broken down, and that theio was not a tittle of evidence to pr*ve that bhe knew any attempt was being made to poison Mrs Hall ; nor was there the slightest foundation for the imputations which had been made as to her relations with the male prisoner. The Judge then summed up strongly in favour of Miss Houston, and the jury then retired. After a short absence from Court they returned with a verdict of guilty against Hall, and of not guilty in the case Houston. Hall was then sentenced to penal servitude for life.