TRIAL OF WHITAKER WRIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12482, 28 January 1904, Page 5

TRIAL OF WHITAKER WRIGHT.

TRAGIC CONCLUSION.

COLLAPSE AND DEATH AFTER

SENTENCE

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.

London, January 28. The trial of Whitaker Wright, the well-known company promoter, ended to-day in an exceedingly tragic manner. The jury found the prisoner guilty on every count of the indictment, and a sentence of seven years was imposed. Immediately afterwards Wright was conveyed to an ante-room, where he was consulting his solicitor, when he suddenly collapsed, became insensible, and died in 50 minutes. Medical examination showed that the deceased had died from heart failure.

(Received January 28, 12.9 a.m.)

London, January 27. Whitaker Wright's trial was before Mr. Justice Bingham and a special jury. It lasted 12 days. He presented throughout an undaunted front and consummate coolness under a merciless cross-examination. He made numerous damaging admissions, and declared that he had only done what DO out of every hundred managing directors would do. Counsel for the defence implied that the verdict against Wright involved the condemnation of Lords Dufferia and Loch. Mr. Justice Bingham dissented from this view, and said their conduct, so far as was known, was consistent with honest mistakes or negligence.