Defence of Kissel

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 91, 22 August 1923, Page 8

Defence of Kissel

COLDSTREAM MURDER TRIAL.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, August 21. Mr F. E. Wilding, appeared with Mr Acland for the defence of Kissel, in opening the defence, said jit might appear that the facis were simple, but their very simplicity suggested that there wa y something , I that had not been heard. The facts that were to be known wouhl ; show that Kissel was an unfortunate victim and that tb© death of Ma l '- Kenzie was only an incident in the affair. The defence set out to show that Kissel was in a state of mind that did not render him lawfully ■ liable for his acts. The state of j mind could be arrived at only from ! certain facts. The’facts adduced by the Crown*were clear and were accepted. He would classify the facts to show the state of accused’s mind as follows: Personal history, family history, the story of the crime and the state of mind before and after the act. The story opened when the hoy. aged nine, met Mackenzie at Lyttelton in connection with Sunday school j work. Since that time the relations j i between the man and the hog- had j j been of a. revolting character. Mae- | konzie had used religion to obtain ( ! influence and ascendency over Kissel j ! and he had been wickedly cupnfng. j [ln the course of time Mackenzie' induced the hay to visit Quail Island, when Mackenzie’s sinister influence did not languish. Mackenzie did not lose sight of the boy until lie was 10, when the hoy was well grounded' the pernicious habit. Tb© boy obtained work in the country and in the meantime Mackenzie wrote affectionate letters to the hoy. Tim ha.hitsj ’inculcated led to a condition of sub-normality and so it was, counsel contended, that Mackenzie held his sway in Kissel’s life. Then the fateful day arrived when he was the culminating point and when the particular state of mind was formed.