RUAWARO MURDER TRIAL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 25 June 1934, Page 3

RUAWARO MURDER TRIAL.

ADDRESS FOR DEFENCE CONCLUDED. AUCKLAND, June 21. In the Bayly trial, after speaking for three and a half days, Mr E. H. Northcroft concluded his address to the jury on behalf of the defence shortly after 4.30 this afternoon. During the whole period, he ’relied on brief notes only, divided under various heads, his actual address being mainly extempore. To-day counsel referred to the fragments of clothing found at Bayly's, and then, turning to the manner in which Mrs Lakey met her death, after criticising the Crown for not.performing blood group tests, he traversed the conversations between Bayly and the police and the explanations made by Bayly, which, he declared, were not contradicted by any evidence. The jury will spend all to-morrow at Ruawaro inspecting the properties. When Mr Northcroft asked whether counsel could accompany them, his Honour said comments by counsel might lead to a new trial. He ruled that the jury should be accompanied by the police only. His Honour will commence to sum up at 9 o’clock on Saturday morning. William Alfred Bayly is charged with murdering Samuel Pender Lakey and Christobel Lakey at Ruawaro on October 15. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr V. R. Meredith, with him Mr F McCarthy is prosecuting, while Bayly is represented by Messrs Northcroft and L. P. Leary, instructed by Mr R. B. Lusk. His Honour Mr Justice Herdman is on the bench, BAYLY SENTENCED TO DEATH. AUCKLAND, June 23. The trial of William Allred Bayly ended to-day with dramatic suddenness, reaching a climax with a verdict of guilty on both counts. Prior to the announcement of the verdict, the Court stood hushed for several moments and the decision of the jury therefore came in an atmosphere of the greatest tension, and probably the least moved man in Court was the prisoner himself, who although he betrayed slight .signs of Nervousness,

soon recovered calm, which had characterised his demeanour throughout the prolonged trial. The Court was crowded throughout His Honour's summing up, which was far shorter than had been expected. When the jury retired at 11.15 a.m. all portions of the Court were packed, while there was a crowd, mostly women, outside. While His Honour addressed the jury accused's wife, her father, and accused's father (Frank Bayly) were all present, accompanied by the family solicitor, Mr R. B. Lusk. None of them returned to hear the verdict after the jury came back. The jury filed in at 12.30, its members looking nervous. There was a wait of a few moments while the Judge was summoned, and during this period the Court sat silent, the tension being felt keenly by all present. When His Honour had resumed his seat on the bench, Bayly stepped up through the trapdoor in the floor and faced the judge. A momentary nervousness could be seen. The muscles of bis face were working, while he glanced quickly to right and left, then he took up his position in front of the dock facing tho Judge. When asked for their finding the. foreman replied: “We find accused guilty on both counts." Bayly bowed his head slightly but showed no trace of emotion. The Registrar (Mr C. J. Hewlett) addressed the prisoner; “You have been found guilty of wilful murder. What have you to say why judgment should not be passed on you, that you die according to the law? Bayly moved a pace back between the two wardci's and bowed to acknowledge that he had heard the question, but made response, holding his head high again. The Court Crier at once left his position at the side of the Court, walking past Counsel and announced: “His Honour, the Judge, commands al manner of men to keep silence while sentence of death is passed on prisoner now in the dock on chain of imprisonment." His Honour then assumed the black cap and pronounced sentence of death. As soon as the sentence was passed there was a stir in Court, which was quickly checked, as the Judge thanked the jury for their services, and exempted them from further service for seven years. Bayly then turned to go below, waving aside offers of assistance from the warders, and walking calmly to the stairs with a slight wry smile.