SUPREME COURT CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3657, 4 April 1883, Page 3

SUPREME COURT CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

A MURDERER SENTENCED TO DEATH AT CHRISTCHURCH. Auckland, Tuesday. True bills were found against Mahuki aud twenty-two of his followers on six counts, against E. B. AValker and the others concerned in the Cambridge ejectment case, and against AVhakaata for perjury. The Grand Jury ignored the bill in the case of John anel James Lannigau for malicious injury to property. Thomas Githcrcole, jun., a settler at AVarkworth, was acquitted of the charge of cattle stealing. AVellington, 1 ucsday. Charles Toms, alias Guard, was sentenced on two charges to two years' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently. Richard Caldwell, William Collier, anel Alexander Bruce wore each acquitted on ohiiriros of lareenv-. Sarah Bavliss, for sly-grog selling, was fiasd £10 aud wstf.

This day. John Stepherson, for robbery from a dwelling and false pretences, was sentenced to six years. Edward Price, for false pretences at Masterton, was sentenced to three years. Chp.istohuech, Tuesday. In the case of Connor, whom the 'jury found guilty on Alonday on an indictment for larceny and burglary, though the count for burglary had been withdrawn, his Honor recalled the jury and asked if thoy had intended the verdict as one of guilty of larceny. The foreman replied in the affirmative. Tho Judge ordered the record of the verdict to be altered to larceny, and reserved for the Court of Appeal the following points raised by the counsel for the prisoner:- '.'l'}. That the Judge had no power to recall tlie jury after such a lapse of time. (2). That the Judge could not alter the verdict after its having boon recorded. Sentence was deferred till after the appeal shall have boon decided. Rotiina Jacob, a AL-iori. was convicted of murdering his wife in January last at Kaikoura. The motive was auger at her infidelity with his brother, who "had been fined for it by a Alaori committee. It was proved in evidence that there wore high words between the prisoner and his wife just before the murder, aud that the woman was heard to say she did not fear death. She was stubbed in the throat iv eight places. Tho jury strongly re -omniended the prisoner to mercy. The Judge believed it would not be his duty to make any represcntatiou at variance with the recommendation. Sentence of death was passed. Hokitikw. Tuesday. The first indictment against Wylde, late Town Clerk of Kumu'it. for embezzlement and larceny of contractors' deposits was commenced. Eight witnesses were examined, and the ca-o was adjourned at I! p.m. until 10 a.m. next day. Mr Perkins, Crown Prosecutor, and Air Harper wore for the Crown, and Alessrs Guinness and Purkiss for the prisoner. I.) lwei>in, Tuesdiiy. George AY. Alintev was acquitted of the charge of embezzlement from the New Zealand .insurance Company. There was some applause, and one ot those taking part iv it was severely reprimanded by the Judge.