THE BARRABA MURDER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7011, 25 June 1894, Page 2

THE BARRABA MURDER.

Sydney, June 22. At the Barraba murder trial, the counsel for Lee contended there was no evidence that he took the manager's life, and suggested it was highly probabls that m the scuffle the manager got hold of the pistol and shot himself accidentally. He asked the jury not to attach too much importance to Lee's statement, as he probably saw little chance for himself, and naturally tried to save his companion's neck. The Crown Prosecutor stated there was no trace of a third party's horse when a search was made for the murderers. The Judge, m summing up, held that Cummings was an accessory before and after the crime. The jury found both men guilty of murder. Counsel for Cummings raised a point for decision of the Full Court that the Judge was wrong m directing the jury that there was sufficient evidence of Cumming's being an accessory. He contended that no evidence had been adduced to show that Cummings was ever at the bank when the crime was committed. Cummings, when asked if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed on him, replied that nothing could rob him of his self-consciousness that he Was not present when McKay was killed. The Judge had influenced the jury against him, but he should meet his fate as an innocent man. Sentence of death was then passed on both men, Cummings saying to the Judge, " May the Lord have mercy on your soul for sentencing an innocent man to death." June 24. Lee, one of the Barraba murderers, requested to see Mrs McKay, wife of the victim. He told her that her husband had acted bravely, but foolishly, iv defending the property of the Bank. He admitted shooting McKay accidentally during the struggle, and asked her to exert her influence to save Cummings.