CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1371, 24 March 1923, Page 5

CONDEMNED TO DEATH.

JOHNSON VILLE HURD EH CASE. YOUNG MAORI’S HORRIBLE CRIME (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. “I do not believe the story you have told and it is my duly to pronounce the sentence the 'law provides for a man who lias murdered a fellow being.” Such were the words of Mr Justice Chapman at the Supreme Court to-night, before assuming the black cap and sentencing John Tuhi, a young Maori, to death for the murder of Herbert Henry Knight at Johnsonville on October 17. The jury reached a- decision in 75 minutes. ‘‘l do not agree with your verdict. Another man murdered him. The man who murdered him also buried him,” said Tuhi after hearing the verdict. Tuhi went on to give a long state-, meat of what he knew of Knight’s death, referring continually to seeing the murderer, and “I saw this other man burying something, but not until later did I discover it was Knight’s body.” Pie declared he also signed a statement to the police.

His Honour said that counsel for the defence would have suggested Tuhi’s story if he had believed it. Instead be chose not to call the accused as it would weaken the accused’s case. “If you have any complaint about the verdict you must petition to the Governor-General,” said His Honour. In the concluding stages of the trial Thomas John Leighton, who lived on the property next “The Hollies,” cross-examined by Mr Scott, said that Tuhi could have carried the body from the house to the grave at tile time of Knight’s disappearance. TuUl was not the man to-day that he had been five months ago. He had lest, in witness’ opinion, two stone in weight, Mr Macassey: You’ve been asked what sort of a man Tuhi is. What is your opinion?—“lt will show what I . think when I tell you that every time 1 went to see him I took a tomahawk with me. i was frightened.” Joseph Albert Tripe, barrister and solicitor, testified that a loan of £4OO was ready for collection at his. office by Knight on October 10. Evidence was given regarding the purchase of various articles and stock from Tuhi after the disappearance of Knight. The Court adjourned flntil to-day. Tuhi was arrested in connection with the disappearance of his employer, Knight, a builder and farmer, from The Hollies, an isolated larm at Jolmsonville, near Wellington. Knight’s body wa| discovered buried near the bouse. Injuries were found on the head, which a medical witness considered might have been caused by a blow from a sledge hammer. Death was believed to have occurred on October 17, 1922, about six weeks before the exhumation of the bouy.