SUPREME COURT, WANGANUI.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3681, 2 May 1883, Page 3

SUPREME COURT, WANGANUI.

PIKEBE VEITCH SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR CHILD MURDER.

JURY OF MATRONS FIND THE WOMAN EXGEIKTB, AND EKE-

CUTION FERRED

OF SENTENCE DE-

Waxganui, Tuesday.

The jury returned at 11.15 last night with a verdict of guilty and a recommendation to mercy. There was a dead silence in Court. Immediately on the verdict being given Mr Hutchison informed His Honor, on the prisoner's own statement, that she was pregnant. His Honor remarked that, if he had known that before, he would have provided for the presence of women from whom to get a jury of matrons to decide if such was the case. As to procedure, whether the prisoner should be sentenced first and be examined after, or whether a jury should be sworn next morning to make investigation prior to sentence, His Honor eventually produced authority to show that the sentence should be given first. He then assumed tho black cap, and sentenced the prisoner to be hung. On the Court resuming this morning the prisoner was brought up. She stated she was pregnant, in answer to the question why sentence should not be executed. A jury of twelve matrons was then cmpannolled. His Honor informed them that their duty was to ascertain the truth of the prisoner's statement, and they retired to an outer room, the prisoner being in charge of the gaoler's wife. Afterwards medical assistance was called in. After about an hour's deliberation the jury came out, and said they all agreed but one. His Honor remarked that the verdict must be unanimous, and like other juries they must again retire. Eventually they agreed, and gave a verdict that, to the best of their belief, the prisoner was quick with child. His Honor said he would grant a respite till tho next criminal session in October, and the recommendation of the jury would be communicated to the Government. The prisoner was cool and impassive throughout. In the case against Elizabeth Jacks, _ for stealing jewellery from a dwelling the jury found a verdict of not guilty, on account of

tho prisoner being weak-minded. John Burke was indicted on the charge of perjury, but the prisoner's counsel took a preliminary objection to the indictment on the ground that the information had been heard before one justice, instead of_ two justices or one justice being a Resident Magistrate. The Chief Justice held the objection fatal, and the prisoner was discharged. William Glcntworth was indicted for burglary at the Commercial Hotel, Waverloy, but it was discovered in the cour.se of the trial that there was no evidence to go to the jury, who acquitted the prisoner by direction of the Court.

This concluded the criminal business,