INTER-COLONIAL NEWS. THE BETRAND AND KINDER TRADGEDY

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 108, 15 March 1866, Page 3

INTER-COLONIAL NEWS. THE BETRAND AND KINDER TRADGEDY

A Sydney Telegram, dated 23rd February, says : — The jury in Betrand's case, after consulting two hours and-a-half, came into Court, which was densely crowded, and gave a verdict of " Guilty." Betrand, on being called upon in the usual way to say if he had any cause to show why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, proceeded to address the Court, and in a clever speech of half-an-hour's duration, asserted his innocence of the murder of Kinder. Sir Alfred Stephen, Chief Justice, in passing sentence of death upon the prisoner, expressed his full belief in his guilt. He said that he had considered it somewhat doubtful after the former trial, but that the evidence on the second trial was conclusive against the accused, and he was now convinced of the justice of the verdict. The prisoner appeared cool and collected, though not manifesting any of his former levity. He said he was not afraid to die, and smiled to those about him after the sentence of death had been passed. The Chief Justice expressed an opinion that Jackson, who is still undergoing sentence of imprisonment for sending the letter to Betrand threatening exposure, ought to be liberated, and that he did not deserve so severe a punishment.

Saturday Morning, February 24. Mrs Kinder has been this morning liberated from custody, and discharged by proclamation ; the Crown law officers considering that the evidence was sufficient to establish her complicity in the murder. Betrand has requested permission for his wife to visit him, but the authorities entertain the apprehension that poison may be conveyed to him if the permission is granted, and their acquiescence is, therefore, doubtful. A subsequent telegram stated as an " on dit," that Mrs Kinder had sailed for Melbourne.

DUNN THE BUSHRANGER SENTENCED TO DEATH. From a telegram published in the "Argus," we take the following : — Dnhn's trial was commenced to-day. The judge said that if the Government were prepared to identify the prisoner as a person who had been outlawed, no trial would be required, and he would pass the sentence of death without delay. The Crown were not prepared, and the case proceeded. The prisoner appeared rather languid, as if not entirely recovered from the effects of his wound. His youthful and harmless looks appeared to astonish the crowded court. His manner was remarkably quiet, and there was nothing in his appearance betokening ferocity. During the summing up of the judge, Dunn was allowed a seat. At the conclusion of the summing up, the jury retired for a short time ; when they returned into Court the foreman announced, amidst almost breathless stillness, that their verdict was " Guilty of Murder." The judge then, having assumed the black cap, passed sentence of death upon the prisoner in the usual form. Dunn was then removed to his cell.

TASMANIAN CHAMPION RACfi. The long looked for Champion Race has been run at Launceston with the following result : — Strop ... 1 Ben Bolt 2 Rose of Denmark ... 3 Volunteer was nowhere.