RUAWARO MURDER CHARGES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19805, 22 May 1934, Page 6

RUAWARO MURDER CHARGES

TRIAL OF ACCUSED OPENS JURY TAKEN TO VIEW SCENE By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND. May 21. The trial of William Alfred Bayly, aged 28, a farmer of Ruawaro, on charges of murdering Samuel Pender Lakey and his wife, Christabel Lakey, on October 15 last, opened before Mr Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court this morning. Contrary to expectations, there was only a small crowd at Court this morning when the trial opened. 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, who 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. Women were in the minority. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr V. R. Meredith, with him Mr F. McCarthy, conducted the case for the Crown, and Mr E. H. Northcroft and Mr L. P. Leary, instructed by Mr R. B. Lusk, appeared for the defence. Seven jurymen appealed for exemption, handing written applications to the judge. Only one was successful, this being on the grounds of personal friendship with the accused. Exemption was refused the others. “In ordinary circumstances, I would excuse you, but in the special circumstances of this case, I am sorry I cannot,” said his Honor to one.

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 finalise arrangements for their lengthy absence.

Shortly after the adjournment, the Court resumed. His Honor 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. Court officials will be busy arranging the exhibits, which total over 250, and which 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 are being installed in front of the jury box, and the remainder of the articles are being piled along the walls and all over one side of the Court.