THE MURDER.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1127, 7 March 1910, Page 4

THE MURDER.

AN UNUSUAL POSITION

vAHUvHILL BEFORE THE COURT

An inquest was held in Wellington on Saturday on the death of C. D. Smith, the draper's assistant who was shot by Corkhill. bailiff.

After evidence had been heard, the Coroner (Mr W. 11. Haselden, S.M.) said the jury could find which verdict it pleased, but nothing had been laid before them to lessen" the offenco of which the person who shot deceased was guitly under the law. In bis opinion, no other verdict could be 'given than that the deceased was wilfully murdered by Corkhill. As i>r as the jury was concerned, :-o result would follow from the finding o;f such a verdict, as further pr:h: c £'.iir.gs would be taken in the Magistrate's Court.

The jury, after a brief retirement, found that deceased met his death through a bullet wound inflicted by Robert Corldiill.

The Coroner: AVlrat do you mean by that? Tt could have been done absolutely innocently. The evidence is at this stage all for murder. A jury may reduce the- charge later on. This is the way I shall write it: "That the deceased, Christopher Denis Smith, died on the 4th day of March, J 910. from a bullet wound inflicted b y the said Robert ■Corkhill, and that the said Robert Corkhill did murder the said Christopher Denis Smith." A Juryman: We object to the word .murder." We think he shot the deceased in self-defence. The Coroner: If that is your verdict J ani prepared to accept it. "No,- , remarked another juryman, we do not think it was in self-de-fence.' .

Hie Coroner: You are responsible men, called upon to perform a solemn duty, ilie ultimate responsibilit-does not rest with you, hut even supposing it did, you l lare to deal with it like men, and not try to halve things. He added that, in regard to the word murder,' under the Criminal Code which was now incorporated in the Consolidated Statutes, the term was 'did feloniously kill." The jury then accepted the terms ot the verdict as read out by the coroner.

Accused Corkhill appeared before Mr \V. G lluldell, S.M., later, and was formally charged with the nurder oi CD. Smitli. Mr T M A\ r - - tord appeared for accused. Inspector Ellison, represent!no- the police, .asked for a remand till "aWlnesday next, as accused's prese."e would be required at the inquest A further remand was very probable