TRIAL FOR MURDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4309, 14 March 1884, Page 2

TRIAL FOR MURDER.

O'Donoughuo Sentenced to Death.

[BY TELEOKAWt. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Hokitika, Thursday. The case of murder against O'Donoughue was proceeded with to-day. After the evidence had boon heard, the Crown Prosecutor Bpoke for two hours, and was followed by Mr Guinness in a spocch lasting one hour. Tho Judgo summed up at length, reviewing tho evidence. Tho jury retired at half-past five, and came into Court at half-post sis, with a verdict of "Guilty." The prisonor.in answer to tho usual question, said :—" My Lord, lam innocent of tho crime. Oh God, witness tho murder about to take place, for I know I am to be sontenced to death. I shall meet the jurymen who found me guilty above, and thon they will bo able to say if I was guilty. I am a Roman Catholic, and if all (he priests and bishops como to consolo me, I will tell them lam innocent. I shall go to my God, who alone knows I did not commit the murder. I have been 15 years in Now Zoaland, and dofy any man to say I nerved him a dirty trick. If over I had any words with anothor man I stripped and had it out, and generally got a thrashing. I again say lam innocent. I suppose I have only a short time to livo. I would not commit tho crime, nor stand by and see another commit it. I will say that tho jury who have found me guilty, and thti officials who helped them, will not bo long after me. I liaveno more toaay, except to ask that what I have said may bo remombered when I am lying rotting in my grave. I am innocent of the crime. Now, my Lord, you may proceed with your sentence." His. Honor then assumed the black cap, andpassod sentence of death in the usual form.