COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16213, 25 August 1923, Page 2

COLDSTREAM TRAGEDY.

THE KISSEL CASE

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY ON GROUNDS OF INSANITY.

'Per Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The trial of Kissel for p the murder of Alackenzie, which has evolved into the most important murder ' trial in the Dominion, and probably under the British criminal code from a legal and medical point of view, was concluded this evening. The day was taken up with the address of his counsel and His Honor's summing up.

Tho jury retired at 3.51, and returned at 4.3, and asked His Honor whether a verdict of w guilty while temporarily insane" would be equivalent to a verdict of "not guilty." His ■ Honor: Y"es; you would return a verdict of not guilty on grounds of insanity. In that case I would ask you two questions: (1) was accused insane at the time of tho commission of the offence?; (2) do you acquit him on the grounds of insanity? Ihjinswe.r to the Registrar, the foreman "said: "We find the prisoner guilty of murder while' temporarily insane, with a strong recommendation that he be detained in a suitable institution." His Honor : That amounts to a verdict of "not guilty on tho grounds of insanity." How do you answer tho questions I put to you? The foreman : To the first we answer "Yes." The second we are unable to answer. .

His Honor: You have answered it in your first question, Mr Foreman. You miist find that you acquit him. The foreman : We are not unanimous on the second count. • <•■■■ ..•-

His Honor: I think you will have to find him "guilty while temporarily insane," which means that you find him not guilty on tho grounds of insanity. At all events you don't acquit, him on any other grounds. The foreman : No. your Honor. His Honor then announced tho verdict and added that the prisoner Would he kept in strict custody in prison at Paparoa till the pleasure of tho Minister of Justice was known.