TRIAL OF BAYLY

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1934, Page 7

TRIAL OF BAYLY

DOUBLE MURDER CHARGE MYSTERY OF RUAWARO FARM W JURYMEN CHALLENGED MJRY INSPECTS THE SCENE EXHIBITS LITTER COURT By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, May 21. Contrary to expectations, there was only a small crowd at the Supreme Court this morning when the trial of William Alfred Bayly on double murder charges was opened. Bayly, aged 28, farmer, was faced with separate charges of murdering Christobel Lakey and Samuel Pender Lakey on October 15, 1933, at Ruawaro, Huntly. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. V. R. Meredith, with him Mr. F. McCarthy, prosecuted, while Bayly was represented by Mr. F. H. Northcroft and Mr. L. P. Leary, instructed by Mr. R. B. Lusk. Mr. Justice Herdman was on the Bench. The first of the public to arrive outside the Court was a blind man, who commenced to wait at 8 o’clock. By 10 o’clock the crowd outside the Court comprised only about 150 people formed in an orderly queue. They filed in just before 10 o’clock in orderly fashion, men being admitted to the rear of the courtroom and women to the gallery. The women were in the minority. Seven jurymen appealed for exemption, handing written applications to the judge. Only one was successful, this on the grounds of personal friendship with Bayly. Exemption was refused the etiiers.

“In ordinary circumstances I would excuse you, but in the special circumstances of this case I am sorry I cannot,” said his Honour to one man.

Bayly was then called and pleaded not guilty. The selection of the 12 to serve on the jury occupied a considerable time, 19 jurymen being challenged, 14 by the Crown and five by the defence. The Court then adjourned for an hour, ’giving the jurymen a chance to visit their homes and businesses in charge of constables to complete arrangements for their lengthy absence. When the. Court resumed the judge announced that the jury would be taken to Ruawaro in the afternoon to inspect the Bayly and Lakey properties. The jury is not expected to return before 7 p.m. Mr. Meredith will outline the Crown case to-morrow morning. During the remainder of to-day the Court officials will be busy arranging the exhibits, which total over 250 and range from tiny phials to a pair of wheels with axle, a sledge and portion of a shed wall. The exhibits occupy a great amount of the already constricted space, special tables being installed in front of the jury box and the remainder of the articles being piled along the walls and all over one side of the Court.