A SHORT TRIAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVIII, Issue LVIII, 4 December 1909, Page 7

A SHORT TRIAL.

Senor Ferrier was executed at Barcelona on 13th October (says the Madrid •correspondent of the London Times). He was shot standing erect with a bandage over his eyes. The soldiers forming the firing party were chosen '. by lot. Measures of precaution had been taken' all round tlie castle. There were no more than forty or fifty per-, sons on the hillside; and there was no demonstration. Senor Ferrier was attended by two Brothers of Peace arid Charity, but refused to take the Sacrament. At the request of Senor Ferrier,' His counsel was admitted several hours before the execution. ' Sonor Ferrier maintained a prefect serenity of mind, -except during his farewell interview with his counsel, when he could not control his feelings, and was overcome with emotion. . The trial began at 8 o'clock on 9th October, in. the council chamber of tho new prison Jit Barcelona, and lasted five "hours. Tho court consisted of a. lieuten-ant-colonel as president, and six captains. , Senor Ferrier sat in fetters by the side of Senor Frio, his counsel. The examining magistrate read the jjroces verbal, giving the details of Senor Fe--rier's arrest and examination, the list of incriminating articles found in his possession, and the declarations of wit> nesses for both sides. -.The prosecutor summarised the evidence in the prooes verbal, stating that fifteen witnesses .proved that Senor Ferrier initiated the disturbances in Premia, that others proved that lie tried the same thing in Masnou, ,and that ho was seen at thehead of armed groups in Barcelona, and concluded a well-roasoned and temperate speech by demanding, in the name of the King, while all in court stood, that Senor Ferrior should Do sentenced to death for the- crime of rebellion, or, if the extreme penalty ivqre not inflicted, to penal servitude for life, with sequestration, of his property to indemnify the losses occasioned by --burning, pillage, and other destruction during the rebollion. Sonor Forrior's counsel, a captain of engineers, made an eloquent speech, expressing the view. that Benor Ferrier was the victim of >political animosity; and endeavoring to prove the weakness of ovidenco against him. He regretted that old charges had been raked up which bore no reference to the present case. The speecli was distinguished by, clearness and great independence. Senor Forrier remained perfectly cnlm • during the entire proceedings, snowing j by frequent, movements of "the iiead that he followed everything. Asked by the president if ho had anything to say, he stated that if he were judged only >y recont events he would be acquitted. It was unfair to be influenced by occurrences of last century. He concluded 07 saying his only occupation of recent years had been in matters of education, instruction, and culture. The Cabinet examined the sentence passed on Senor Ferrier, and saw xio reason to recommend His Majesty to grant a pardon.