THE BARRABA TRAGEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 149, 23 June 1894, Page 5

THE BARRABA TRAGEDY.

MURDER OF A BANK? MANAGER,

LEE AND CUM MINGS SENTENCED fc TO DEATH.

SrtxEY, June 22. The counsel for Loo contended that there was no evidence thab he took the manager's life, and suggested thAb it was highly probable that ia tho scuffle the manager eot hold of the pistol and shot himself accidentally. He askiid tho jury nob to attach too much importance to Lee's statement, as he probably saw little chance for himself, and naturally tried to save his companion's neck. The Crown ProsecAitor stated that there was no trace of a third party's horse when the search was made for the murderers. The Judge in summing up held thab Cummings was &\\ accessory before and after the crime, The jury found both men guilty of murder. Counsel for Cumminera raised the poinb for the decision of the Fuil Court, that the Judge was wrong in directing the jury thab there was sufficient evidence of Cummings being an accessory. He contended that no evidence had been adduced tojs,how that Cummings was even ai> the bank when Jbbe crime wae committed. '• Cummingß, when asked if he had anything to cay why sentence of death should not be passed on him, replied that nothing could rob him of the self-consciousness thab he was nob present when McKay was killed. The Judge had influenced the jury against him, but) he would meet his fate as an innocent man. Sentence of death was then pa&sed on both mon, Cummings uaying to the Judge, " And may the Lord have mercy on your ?oul for sontenciDg an innocent man to death."