THE WAIPIRO MURDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9324, 29 March 1889, Page 5

THE WAIPIRO MURDERS.

-\5 SENTENCE OF DEATH. [BY TISLKGHAPH. —I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.] Otsborne, Thursday. Tins morning when the Court opened Mr. Gully summed up the evidence for the prosecution. He addressed the jury eloquently for an hour. Mr. Kenny proposed to call no evidence for the defence, and addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner, pointing out where there was lack of evidence and. other discrepancies, and impressed upon them that unless they had the clearest evidence they should not bring in a verdict against the prisoner on which he would be hanged. Judge Richmond likened the evidence to a bundle of sticks. The bundle might be broken stick by stick, but the whole was strong. The case did not depend on singlefaots but on the whole correspondence. The boot and foot print might alone be sufficient warrant for conviction. Mr. Kenny had given up the contention that the prisoner took the the inland route, admitting ho took the beach past Matuiku. His Honor carefully reviewed the evidence as to blood marks on the clothing, the prisoner's demeanour and conversation in gaol, and other |K>ints of evidence. He asked did the evidence leave then- minds without any reasonable doubt of the prisoner's guilt. At halfpast one the jury retired, and at a quarter to live brought* in a verdict of guilty. The prisoner had nothing to say why sentence of death should not no passed on him. His Honor said the evidence on the whole satisfied the jury and himself that the prisoner was guilty of murder. His conviction was largely brought about by his own oountrymon and relations. His Honor then put on the black cap and passed the usual sentence of death. The prisoner never gave an expression of emotion throughout the sentence, and walked calmly away to gaol. He will be taken to Napior for execution.