THE GREYMOUTH MURDER.
(Per United Press Association.) Hokitika, March 13fch. The case of murder against Donohuc wns proceeded with to«day. The evidence of Drs O'Grady, Hector, and Moller concluded the case for the Crown. Mr Guinness, for the prisoner, called no evidence. The Crown Prosecutor spoke for two hours, and was followed by Mr Guinness, in a speech lasting one hour. The Judge summed np at length, reviewing the evidence thoroughly. The jury retired at 20 minutes past 5, and came into Court at 6.30 with a verdict of 11 Guilty." The prisoner, in answer to the usual ques* tion, said : " My Lord, I am innocent of the crime. Oh. God ! witness this murder about to take place ; for I know I am to be sentenced to death. I shall meet the jurymen who have found me guilfy above, and then they will be able to say if I was guilty. I am a Homan Catholic, and if all the priests and bishops come to console me I will tell them lam innocent lam going to meet my God, and lam not afraid to do so." Prisoner then said Constable Nash had told the truth, but he did not caro about the other witnesses. He then proceeded : "I shall go to my God, who alone knows I did not commit the murder. I have been 15 jears in New Zealand, and defy any m.in to say I served him a dirty trick. If ever I bad any words with another man I stripped and had it out, and generally got a thrashing. I again say I am innocent. I suppose I have only a short time to live I would not commit the crime, nor would I stand by and see another commit it. I will say that the jury who found me guilty, and the officials who helped them, will not be long after me. I have no more to say, except to ask that what I have said may be reramberod when I am lying rotten in mv grave. lam innocent of the crime. Now, my Lord, you may proceed with your sentence. His Honour then assumed the black cap, and passed sentence of death in the usual form. The Court was crowded during Jthe day Intense interest was taken in the proceed ings. The prisoner preserved a collected demeanour throughout, showing no signs of
nervousness.
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Bibliographic details
Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1024, 15 March 1884, Page 3
Word Count
398THE GREYMOUTH MURDER. Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1024, 15 March 1884, Page 3
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