GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1533, 24 January 1887, Page 2

GREAT BARRIER MURDER.

CONVICTION AND SENTENCE ON CAFFREY AND PENN. AUCKLAND, January 22. The judge, |in summing up, said he thought no fouler crime than this ever staiued the annals of the colony. As to Grace Graham's evidence, he was afraid they could not place any reliance at all upon it. It was also not necessary to prove that either of the accused struck the actual blow ; if the deed were proved to have been the work of the two, they were guilty, whichever may have fired the fatal shot. His Honor theu proceeded to comment on the defence set up by the several counsels. Counsel for Pena had set up a plea that eloping with girls was not an unlawful offence. But Caffrey ran into the room shooting — that stamped the whole affair with intent at once. His Honor said if men came into a house, armed with revolvers, to commit an act or murder, shooting followed, and death was the consequence, both were guilty of murder. It made no difference who fired the shot that really killed. In concluding, His Honor said that they must give the prisoners the benefit of any doubt, but it must be a reasonable doubt. After impressing upon them the importance of their position, be committed the case to them.

After being an hour out, the jury brought in a verdict of guilty against both prisoners, and recommended them to mercy. Gaffrey made a statement saying he was not guilty of the crime.

Fenn made a statement that he was led away by Oaffrey, but was innocent of the murder.

His Honor tben assumed the black cap, and, in a most solemn and impressive address, pronounced the death sentence. He would forward the recommendation of the jury, but held out no hope of mercy, as the crime was the most atrocious in the hiscory of the colony.