THE MURDER CASE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 10, 2 July 1887, Page 2

THE MURDER CASE.

THREE FOUND GUILTY : ERENA ACQUITTED.

THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED

Tub above case was continued through the whole of Thursday until the evening. Mr Brassey addressed the Court for the defence, and made the best of a bad case. He referred mainly to the very unreliable character of Native evidence, and contended that a distinct alibi had been proved as regards two of the accused. Mr Rees followed with an able and effective resunto of the whole case. His speech was a long and eloquent one, his references to the prisoner Aporo being extremely di-a-matto.

His Honor having patiently gone through the evidence piece by piece, and having addressed the Jury, the latter then retired, returning at about 6.15 with their verdict.

In answer to the usual formal question of the Registrar : How say you ? Guilty or not guilty. Mr W. Morice, the foreman, replied, “ Aporo and Te Hau guilty, Te Uuri guilty as an accessory before the fact, Erena not guilty." Hie Honor ; That verdict as to Te Uri is guilty generally. Do you propose to try the woman on the other charge, Mr Nolan ? Mr Nolan : No, your Honor. His Honor ; Then she may be discharged, Erena then left the Court.

A slight pause then took place, but the interpreter arriving the Registrar asked the usual question of Aporo Paerata, "Have you anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon you!" Aporo did not answer, hanging hie head in a confused aud dejected manner. The question was then put to Te Uuri, who said, “ I wish to explain," and then a short pause, “I ought not to be sentenced, that ia all I have to say." Te Hau answered by saying " I ought not to be dealt with." 6 8