Kissel Insane

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 94, 25 August 1923, Page 3

Kissel Insane

Vy. ! 1 i I \ i >r;!vl THE COLDSTREAM MURDER.

JURY’S VERDICT,

Per Press Association, Christchurch,. August ,24

The trial of Kissel for the | of Mackenzie, which developed into | ' the most important murder trial in I the Dominion and probably under d tile British, criminal code from a legal and medical point of view, was , concluded this evening. The day ! was taken up with the addresses of | counsel and His Honor’s summing j up. The jury retired at 3.51 p.m,,.and , ■ returned at'4.43 p.m. and asked His j Honor whether a verdict of guilty j while nporarily insane would be i equivalent to a verdict of not guilty. J His Honor ; “Yes, you would re- j turn a verdict of not guilty the I grounds of insanity. In that cases f I would ask you two questions: (1) j Was accused insane at the time of | the commission of the offence; and , (2) do you acquit him on the ground j of insanity)?” !

The jury again retired and returned at 7.42) p.m. In answer to the registrar th© foreman said: “Wo find prisoner guilty of murder while temporarily insane, with a strong recommendntioif that he he detained in a suitable institution.” Hi s Honor: “That amounts to a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity, Hnw do you answer the questions I put to you?” The foreman; “To the first we answer, yes and to the second wo are unable to answer.” His Honor; “You have answered it in your first question, Mr Foreman. You must 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 the grounds of insanity. At all events you don’t acquit him on any other grounds;” The foreman; “No, your Honor.” Hi s Honor then announced the verdict and added that prisoner would be kept in strict custody in prison at Paparoa till the pleasure of thef Minister for Justice ws\s known.