THE APPIN MURDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 9

THE APPIN MURDER

EXECUTION OF SIMPSON,

Pross Association —By TelegianV—Copyright.

SYDNEY, December 10. (Received Dec. 10, at 10.20 p.m.) William Simpson was hanged at the Long Bay gaol. Death was instantaneous.

William Simpson was twice tried on the charge of murder. At the second trial on September 2 accused, in a statement from the dock, claimed that Mr Clift and the constable were his best friends. Their deaths were accidental. He asserted that they received their fatal wounds in trying to prevent him from committing suicide, which he intended to do. When the tragedy occurred Constable Flynn, who had arrested Simpson on a charge of theft, was being driven in a motor-car by Mr Clift, with his prisoner There was'a struggle during which both the constable and Mr Clift were fatally shot. On June 5 Simpson was found guilty and sentenced to death. He appealed for a new trial and on July 1 the appeal was allowed. Chief Justice in ordering a new trial, said that the first one amounted to a miscarriage of justice. _