THE TAURANGA TRAGEDY.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume 1, Issue 13, 12 March 1892, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE TAURANGA TRAGEDY.

At the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, Duncan Munro was charged with the wilful murder of Grace Emma Munro.

Accused was defended by Mr Moss/ solicitor, of Tauranga. He stated that accused was examined by a medical man in the morning, who said that the man was in a position to plead. On being challenged, the accused muttered, " I did not know altogether what I was doing." After a few seconds' hesitation he further said he, did not know whether he was guilty or Hot. ' :,•-■,.■. • ■■■ - ■■:■.■ ■■■■■•■,. ■■■-.■ . fi His Honor: I understand accused wishes the case to be tried. ; Mr Moss said he thought it mighti fee as well.' His Honor replied that he would vecord a plea of not guilty. The common jury was then sworn 1 an, * Mr Ebenezer 0. Carr being chosen foreman. Mr Hudson Williamson briefly opened the trial. After detailing the •circumstances' of the'tragedy, he said, ■there would be sufficient evidence to prove that the 1 accused committed the, act. The defence set up would be the, one commonly known asjinsanifcy, but it would be for them to decide whether 'the accused was really responsible for his'actions when the mmitted the! act. * . „ - ! r ■ JSvidsnce,^ - already reported from f-^ioweriOourfc, was given by -3>McKober ; Peter Mun^o and Dr. ( JBu^eh'/ *'ihe accused was very excited and sang -~ veral h jns in the box. doun i.el / 7id-noi» addre' the jury, -and His Hon briefly su aimed up. Without leaving the box, the jury "brought- -in a verdict against the -a*cused*of 'noo g " ty,"on the grounds •of insanity. His Ho r then ordered-that Munro be kept in ' "cfc custody in the Auck-, Xunatic during Her 'Majesty's plea < ■ \ 1 As the warders removed Munro "from the dock he a line or two of -" Thank God, from Whom all Blessings I'low? 1 -j ' '' J ' A nolh p '08egui was entered in'the other three> indictments against the accused. "'/" ,/"". ..