SHOCKING MURDER CASE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7726, 28 March 1904, Page 7

SHOCKING MURDER CASE.

A recent cable message states that Angus McDonald and his wife were convicted of the murder near Longreach .(Queensland) of Grace McDonald, their daughter, and sentenced to death. The evidence disclosed shocking brutality. Constable Tracy deposed to having examined the body and found it filthy and full of sores, while the wrist was broken. Stones and gravel were in the sores on the foot, and two ribs were broken. A mailman stated that on one occasion he saw the girl barelegged, with no hat on, and " dressed " in a bran bag and some other material which might have been a man's shirt. Other witnesses stated that they took the girl to be a black gin or half-caste. She had scarcely any .lothes on, even in cold weather. Dr Hewer gave sensational evidence, tvingthat gross ill-treatment and want ittention had been practised. The y weighted only about four stone, whereas if healthy it should have wieghed seven or eight stone. Mary McAuley, sister of McDonald's first wife, stated that she had charge of the girl Grace till about eleven months before she was taken to Queensland. The child was always healthy, intelligent and honest. After the child was taken away prisoner sent witness a litter stating " that no correspondence was desired concerning Grace, and declining to allow her sister to make Grace, a birthday present of a few pounds. The will and probate of McDonald's first wife were put in, and showed she left £-200 in trust for Grace. Counsel for the defence asked the judge to direct the jury that there was no °case against the female accused, on the ground that she was only the servant of the male accused, and consequently was not legally responsible fpr her husband's neglect of duty. The judge decided to let the matter go to the jury, who returned a verdict of guilty against both accused, and they were sentenced to death.