THE WAIROA SOUTH MURDER TRIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WAIROA SOUTH MURDER TRIAL.

Auckland, June 4.

The trial of Thomas Fry, otherwise known as Thomas Floyd, on a charge of tbe murder of William Veitch, at Wairoa South, on the 23rd March last, was commenced today before Mr Justice Conolly, Mr H. Williamson, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the case for the Crown, and Mr Napier appeared for the defence. While the jury was being called, Mr Napier exercised the right of challenge so freely that tbe panel was exhausted when only 11 jurymen had been admitted. A twelfth juror was afterwards sworn in, however, and tbe case proceeded. Mrs Agues Patterson, who had been housekeeper for Veitch, gave evidence that on the evening of the 23rd March she heard somebody outside the house calling Veitch, who went cut and witness afterwards heard blows, and Veitoh calling out “ You are murdering me.” After waiting a little time, because she was frightened, she wont to tbe place and found Veitch bleeding from the head, nose and mouth. His pockets were turned out, and bis watch gone. Medical evidence was given and the depositions of Veitch produced, Mr Napier objected to their being received, as they had been taken on a charge of assault aud robbery, not upon a charge of murder. His Honor said he would admit (he deposition if it were shown that the accused had had fall opportunity of cross-examination. As this was proved in the evidence of Mr Crawford, before whom Veifcch'a evidence was taken, the depositions were received in evidence, and the Court then adjourned till to-morrow.

Auckland, June 5, The Wairoa South murder trial was concluded to-day, when evidence was given of the arrest of accused after Veitch was assaulted, and the finding of a watch belonging to Veitch in the loft where Floyd slept.

For the defence, medical evidence was called as to the prisoner's sanity. Dr Walker deposed that he had come to tho conclusion that prisoner was only feigning insanity. Drs King and Bakewell gave evidence to the effect that he was weak in the mind.

After the addresses of counsel and tho Judge’s summing up, the jury returned a verdict that prisoner was guilty of manslaughter, and he was sentenced to 15 years’ penal servitude.