SENTENCE OF DEATH ON O'FARRELL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 821, 18 April 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

SENTENCE OF DEATH ON O'FARRELL.

After a prolonged trial, the prisoner was found guilty. When called on to make any observation he thought proper, The prisoner in a firm and decided tone said he had nothing to say. His Honor, before passing sentence of death, addressed the prisoner as follows :—: — " Henry James O'Farrell, the jury have found you guilty under the information which the Crown preferred against you — that is, of wounding the person of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, with intent to murder him, and happily for you in the position in which you are placed you have been ably defended by the counsel who have appeared for you. The jury have well considered the evidence which was adduced by the counsel on your behalf, but they have felt themselves bound to return a verdict against you. Except from the evidence adduced, I know nothing, nor can I know anything, ,of your previous life which might suggest to me any remarks. I can only see before me a man in health, strength, and vigor, who has deliberately attempted to take the life of a fond and youthful son of our beloved and revered Queen. Before I proceed presently to pass the sentence of the Court, let me beseech you by every remembrance of whatever has been virtuous or good in your past life ; let me entreat you by any, the faintest trace of true religion which may now be in your heart, to reflect upon the wide amount of sorrow and suffering which your cruel hands would have caused if your murderous design had been successful. Consider what unutterable horror and shame would have fallen upon the Colony, if the providential care of Almighty God had not defeated your attempt. Contemplate the awful grief and anguish of the Queen, if one of her beloved and innocent children (innocent even of any evil thought against you or any other human being) had been thus torn by your ruthless hand from her widowed heart. Let me implore you to employ the short period of your remaining life in such reflections as I have suggested, and especially in subdueing that callous, insensibility of heart which must have originally have led you to your crime. Although happily your murderous intent was not accomplished, I hold out to you not the least hope of remission of the sentence of death. Wot not only am I unable to discover W^j, even the slightest circumstance upon

which I could recommend any such remission ; but it must also be manifest to the whole world that all men like you, whose evil hearts may now be harbouring and nurturing similar murderous intentions and similar traitorous designs, should be taught by your sad fate how swift, unerring, and stern is the punishment which all civilised nations must inflict upon such a terrible crime as yours. Let me again exhort you to make the best use of the short time that may remain to you in life, and at once apply to those ministers of religion who may willingly assist you in your sorrowfnl meditations. It only remains for me now to pronounce the sentence of the law for the crime of which you have been convicted." His Honor then, in the U9ual form, passed sentence of death upon the prisoner. Whilst his Honor was addressing him, the prisoner appeared but little moved ; the only perceptible change being a tremulousness of the muscles of his face. He observed a calm, quiet, and respectful demeanour throughout the trial.