The *'ew Plymouth Murder.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5904, 24 October 1890, Page 2

The *'ew Plymouth Murder.

New Plymouth, Tuesday. In the murder trial the Judge summed ii}) at great length and the jury retired at 4.30 p.m. to consider their verdict, and after an hour returned to the Court with a verdict of guilty and a recommendation to mercy on account of prisoner's youth and being of alien race. In answer to the usual question, the prisoner said " May I speak •?" The Judge : "Yes." Prisoner : " Why am I found guilty ?" Judge : " The jury have found you guilty." Prisoner : '* I wasn't there. When all is over I will say who was the person who did it. The reason I didn't speak before is because the murderer is a Maori like myself. I did not speak before because I was in the hands of my lawyer, who was defending me, and according to Native custom I wanted to defend the man who committed the crime. It is native custom to save your own people if poss'ble. This individual brought me things for which I was taken to gaol. According to Maori custom, when a man is condemned for what a relative does he is to keep silent, his name is not to be mentioned. It was he who killed the man. This is all I have to say. He is the man who gava me the things, and he committed the crime." His Honor then addressed accused as follows : — " Mahi Kai, you havo been found guilty of the crime of murder. You have had a most careful trial, a most intelligent jury, and a most able counsel. I certainly agree with the verdict of Uio juiy. The jury have recommended you to mercy on account of your youth, and oti account of you being of the native race. That recommendation shall be sent to those who have, if they think fit, the power to act upon it. Ib does not rest with me. I have only to administer the sen fence of the law." His Honor then sentenced the prisoner to death.