THE MAYFIELD TRAGEDY

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 55

THE MAYFIELD TRAGEDY

BIDDLE CONVJ.(.'TED. SENTENCED TO DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, November 20. The trial of Alfred Biddle for th® murder of Bose-Anna Lilley at Mayfield on October 15 came up at the Supremo Court to-day before Mr Justice Dennis ton and a jury. Mr Stringer prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr Donnelly defended, under instructions from the Minister of Justice. Prisoner, who had to bo half carried to the clock, being in a state of collapse, pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by John Allen Lilley, the husband of the deceased, and other witnesses similar to that taken at the inquest. Mr Donnelly asked a few questions. The facts of the case were not challenged, but a plea of insanity was set up, and evidence was adduced showing that accused came from a tainted family addicted to vicious habits. After a quarter of an hour’s retirement the jury returned a verdict of guilty of wilful murder. Accused sprawled over the front of tho dock and his hands worked convulsively. In reply to the question as to whether ha had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced, accused said “ No.” Sentence of death was then passed. The prisoner received the sentence in silence, and was lifted out of the dock by two warders.