The Balfour Murder Case.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 1 October 1895, Page 3

The Balfour Murder Case.

Invercargill, September 24. The trial of John Keown, who is charged with the murder of Hugh Stewart at Balfour, was continued in the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr Justice Williams. A number of witnesses were called io prove that Keown had a fall from a horse six years ago, and had never been the same man since. Evidence was given as to various eccentricities, and also that he had since been given greatly to drinking. His wife stated that he had sometimes armed himself with a pickaxe and butcher’s knives to attack men whom he supposed were stealing his crops. She stated that he had two or three times tied his horse up by the leg and slabbed and brutally beaten it, also that he had stabbed his son James, and that one of accused’s sous had been in an asylum. The defence was directed to showing that Keown, since a fall on the head six year's ago, had been subject to fits of violence, delusions and melancholia, which were aggravated by excessive drinking. It was deposed that Keown had been known to drink two gallons of whiskey in five dnys, that he stabbed his own horses, tied up their legs, and left them without food for days, and had denied all knowledge of having done such things. Dr James Young, formerly Superintendent of fhe Auckland Asylum, said that such a thing as alcoholic insanity was recognised, and that in some cases injuries to the head would make the subject more, susceptible to the influence of alcohol. He should say that Keown had been at the time of the tragedy suffering from alcbolic insanity which was a dangerous kind of lunacy. He was sure of that now. Dr McLeod, gaol surgeon, was also of opinion, after examination, that Keown was not of sound mind.

The trial concluded at 5 p.m., and after deliberating two and. a half hours, the jury returned into Court with % verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to ihercy. His Honor pronounced sentence of death, and in doing so said that the recommendation of the jury, looking at the prisoner’s previous history, might not be altogether unreasonable, and in the course of his duty he would intimate that opinion to the proper authorities. His Honor sincerely asked and recommended Keown not to place too great confidence in the jury’s recommendation.