DEATH FOR TWO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 September 1926, Page 4

DEATH FOR TWO.

THE THIRD ESCAPES. PERTH, Sept. 15. Coulter find Treffene were found guilty to-day of the murder of Inspector Wirish and Sergeant Pitman at Kalgoorlie, and were sentenced to death- . , , The jury’s finding was brought iu after a' retirement of- four and a quarter hours, and was accompanied, by a rider deploring the fact that Clarke was not- also in the dock. Mr. Justice Draper’s summing-up was one of the most powerful and shattering of recent times Apparently thfiir counsel’# atpeiress caused Coulter and Treffene to listen to the address of Mir. Parker (Crown Prosecutor) with much composure, but this morning, while Mr. Justice Draper in his summing-up referred to instance after instance in the defence case where vital evidence vyas at variance, both men sat clenching and unclenching- their hands, and showed other signs of perturbation. And they had reason, for MrJustice Draper not only enumerated some telling points, but occasional ly hammered-his fist upon the Bench to emphasise a point. The Judge did not review the evidence in detail, ais the jury would be able to judge on the facts. - Evidence on the actual murder could only be circumstantial. Clarke would bo treated as an accomplice when Iris evidence was considered and as his evidence was not corroborated it would not .be safe to convict on that alone, although it was within the jury’s province to do

‘Coulter’s statement that-lie was always at the Australian Hotel corner everv day unless he was in Perth, did not 'seem of much value, as his witnesses did not seem "to dofinitely Iylioay when he was in Perth. . ' The jury retired at 12.40. and returned their verdict at 5. o'clock. . “The jury has found both, \V ilciatn Coulter and Phillip Treffene guilty ot wilful murder,” announced the foreman in a low voice shaken with emotion, after the jury’s return. In a slightly raised voice he stated, that it was the jury’s unanimous opinion that they deplored that Clarke had not been placed in the dock also. HEARING- DEATH SENTENCE. When Coulter came up the steps from the cells below to hear the verdict, he appeared as usual, but Treffene was shaking and wiping his hands with rolled handkerchief held between them. , ~ When they stood together at the rails each man had his hands clasped in front of him, but when the verdict was announced, both folded their arms at the same time. ~ , , When the word “Guilty” was heard in Court, women’s voices in .different sections cried, “Guilty. Oh My God! ’ and there were sounds ot low sobbm o . In answering; the usual questions Coulter said to the Judge, “Ton said I ran down from the plant and I shotWalsh. That is not correct. I was notthere at the time, and I am not guilty.”- . , c Treffene said: “I am innocent_ of any charge of wilfully murdering these two men. It was purely and simply an accident.” Mr. Justice Draper s face was ashen as he assumed Iris black,, cap, and in rather uncertain tones sentenced the murderers to be- hanged. . During the last couple ot cfavs, Haynes has given a number of indications that if a. verdict against accused were returned, he would probably give notice of appeal.