MIKIMIKI TRAGEDY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 191, 20 August 1901, Page 2

MIKIMIKI TRAGEDY.

JURY DISBELIEVE THE CONFES SION OF DOUGLAS.

ACQUITTED ON THE CHARGE OF MURDER,

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] Wellington, last night. The trial of Robert Douglas for the murder of Mrs Pain at Mikimiki began before ihe Chief Justice to-day. The evidence was similar to that in tho Magistrate’s Court, save that the spot where deceased's slipper was picked up is now identified as different to that formerly stated. From the new spot the body could roll down into the creek, but not to where Mrs Pain’s body was found.

Later.—Tho evidence tendered at tho trial of Douglas was similar to that adduced at the lower court, and at the

nquest on deceased. No evidence was offered by the defence.

In his address to the jury the Crown Prosecutor said there would havo been a very grave failure of justice if after the prisoner had made his confession the case had not been placed before the jury. Ho contended that there were many grave circumstances connecting Douglas with the death of Mrs Pain, apart from his own testimony to tho gaoler at Lyttelton. Counsel for prisoner described the latter's confession as the hysterical accusa-

tion of one in whom hope was dead, and who desired any change, even though it might he from prison to a lunatic asylum. He combatted the accusation of murder, and pointed to various possibilities in the way of accidental death. Ilia Honor tho Chief Justice, in sum-

ming up, said there was no evidence that the prisoner was insane on tho day Mrs Pain met her death. His Honor specially mentioned tho following statement made by tho prisoner at the inquest :

“ Tho last I saw of deceased she was going to Ashby’s fonco,” and pointed out that such a course was directly opposite to tho ono which would have takou her to tho place where tho body was found. The jury had not returned to Court up to eight o’clock. 9.30 last night.—Tho jury returned a verdict of not guilty in the murder case, and prisoner was remanded to his former custody.