SENTENCED TO DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

TWO YOUNG MURDERERS.

OLD MAN BRUTALLY SLAIN. " You have been found guilty of a coldblooded crime," said Justice Avory, at Manchester Assizes recently, in sentencing Edward Wild Hilton, aged 18, and Ernest Edwin Kelly, aged 20, to death for the wilful murder of Daniel Bardsley, an Oldham stationer

Mr. Gordon Hewart, K.C., outlined the facts of what he called a " repulsive and cowardly crime." Mr. Bardsley, a married man, 54 years of age, carried on the busi ness of a bookseller and stationer in Yorkshire Street. Oldham. He used to sleep at the house of his brother in Egerton Street, some distance away, and was found by the night watchman at three o'clock on the morning of Sunday, July 27, lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the back room of his premises. Near his head lay an Indian club and a dumb-belL He was besmeared with blood, and blood was also found upon the shelves to the height of 2ft above the floor.

Near his body were four keys ami a number of letters, addressed and stamped ready for the post. His pockets had been rifled. Hilton had been employed as a packer and messenger in the shop for three weeks.

Each prisoner tried to put the blame on his accomplice. Hilton said he had only known Kelly for the three weeks he had been working for Mr. Bardsley. He had arranged to go on the Saturday night to Hollingwood Wakes with him, and they were to meet at ten o'clock outside Mr. Bardsley's shop. When they met Kelly, on being informed by Hilton that he had no money until he got his wages, said, "Let us attack him"meaning Mi. Bardsley. Hilton replied, " No ; let us wait while he goes home," whereupon Kelly asked if Bardsley had any money, and Hilton answered that be had in the safe upstairs. He lent Kelly sixpence, and he went away, returning by ten minutes past ten. They \ walked into the back yard and saw the girl assistants leave the shop. Hilton explained that, having forgotten his apron, he returned to the shop without any intention of theft and without any suggestion that Kelly should come in. While in the shop he heard someone shouting, and, turning round, saw Kelly with a club in his hand and Mr. Bardsley on the floor. He told Kelly not to hit him. but Kelly struck him on the left side of his head with the club. Hilton remarked to Kellv, " God will punish us for this," whereupon Kelly replied, "Curse him!" and struck Mr. Bardsley again on the right side of the head. Afterwards Kelly asked where the safe was, and together they went upstairs to open the safe: but Hilton heard Mr. Bardsley moaning downstairs, and, rushing down, noticed that he was trying to get up from the floor. He -ran with a cup of water and poured it down his throat, and then shouted to Kelly and told him to get a cloth to wipe his face. Kelly went through Mr. BardsleVs pockets, pulling a handful of silver out and putting it in his own pocket. Kelly gave him the silver and two gold rings. He (Hilton) opened the cash register, removing 20s in silver, and hid it in a hole in a wall in Painter Street, Oldham. From first to last, he said, he never struck Mr. Bardsley with anything, and did not see anything in Kelly's possession when he joined him at the shop. The story told by Kelly was that when lie met Hilton the latter told him that Mr. Bardsley had sacked him and he was " going to have his own back." When Hikon asked if he had anything to hit Mr. Bardsley with, .he replied: "There is a club in another yard," and Hilton gave him the money for car fare to bring the club.

Hilton later hid him (Kelly) in the back yard, and gave him a mask to wear. Pulling off their boots they entered an outhouse, .Hilton carrying the club all the time. After exchanging jackets they .tvent up-, stairs, where they beard. Mr. "Bardsley' counting his money. At Hilton's request -be (Kelly) took the club because Hilton said he "might not hit him hard enough.'"' On seeing Bardsley, Hilton presented a revolver and said. "Hands up!" After turning up the gas Mr. Bardsky began ■shouting and made for the door. He fell, and as he was falling he (Kelly) struck him on the arms. Hilton then hit Bardslev as he lay on the floor. Later be cleaned ■Mr. Bardsley!s face and heard him say, "Oh, dear! where am I?" and he (Kelly) put a cloth across his head and told him to lie quiet as he would be all right soon. When they were leaving the premises Hilton : turned back to remove his apron, which was in the room, and they arranged to meet each other at the corner of tie street. Kelly denied ever having struck Mr. JJardslcy on the head The jurv found both prisoners .guilty, recommending them to mercy on account of their youth. i' When Justice Avory was passing sentence "Hilton looked him steadily in the face the whole time he was speaking, whilst Kelly listened with downcast head. Both received the verdict and sentence stolidly, and turned quickly from the dock apparently unmoved.