SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11882, 19 January 1914, Page 3

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

TWO YOUNG MURDERERS

"You have been found guilty of a 'cold-blooded crime," said Justice Avory, at Manchester Assizes recently, in .sentencing Edward Wild Hilton, aged IS and Ernest Edwin Kelly, aged 20* to' death for the wilful murder of Daniel Bards ley, an Oldham stationer. . •■•■ . ~ .'.•'.:::. ■•'•'■ Mr Gordon Re-watt,- K.G., outlined the facts.of what he called a Mrepulsive and. cowardly crime." Mr Bardslcy, a married man, 54. years of age, carried on the business of .a bookseller and stationer in Yorkshire Street, Oldham. He used to sleep at the house of his brother in Egertou Street, some distance, away, and was found by the night watchman at three o'clock on the morning of Sunday, July .27th, lying, in a pool of blood on the floor of the back room of his premises. Near his hand lay an Indian club and a dumb-bell. He was besmeared with blood, and blood was also found upon the shelves to the height of 2ft above the door. Each prisoner tried to put the blamo on his accomplice. Hilton said he had only known Kelly for the three weeks he had been working for Mr Bardslcy. He had arranged to go on the Saturday night to Ilollingwood Wakes with him, and they were to meet at ten o'clock outside Mr Bardslcy 's shop. When they met Kelly, on being informed by Hilton that ho had no money until he got his wages, said, "Let us attack him"— meaning Mr Bardslcy. Hilton replied, "No; let us wait while he goes home," whereupon .Kelly asked if Bardslcy had any money, and Hilton answered that he had in the safe upstairs. He lent Kelly sixpence, and he went away, returning by ten minutes past ten." They walked into the back yard and saw the girl assistants leave* the shop. Hilton explained that, having forgotten his apron, he returned to the shop without any intention of theft and without any suggestion that Kelly should come iv. While in the shop he heard someone shouting, and, turning round, saw Kellv with a club in his hand and Mr Bardslcy on the door. He told Kelly not to hit him, but Kelly struck him .on the left side of his head with the club. Hilton remarked to Kelly, "God will punish us for this," whereupon Kelly replied, "Curse him!" and struck Mr Bardslcy again on the right side of the head. Afterwards Kelly asked where the safe was, and together they went upstairs to open the safe; but Hilton heard Mr Bardslcy moaning downstairs and rushing down, noticed that he was trying to get up from the door. He ran with a tup of water, ami poured it down his throat, and then shouted to Kelly and told him to get a cloth to wipe his face. Kelly went through Mr Bardslcy*s pocket's, pulling a handful of silver out and putting it. in his own pocket. Kellv gave him the silver and two gold rings. He (Hilton) opened the cash register, removing 20s in silver, and hid it 'in a hole in a wall in Painter Street, Oldham. From first to last, he said, he never struck Mr Bardslcy with anything ami did not see anything in Kellv's possession when he joined him at the shop. The story fold by Kelly was that when he met Hilton'the latter told him that Mr Bardslcy had sacked him and he was "going to have his own back." When Hilton asked if he had anything to hit Mr Bardslcy with, he replied: "There is a club in another yard," and Hilton gave him the money for car fare to bring the club. Hilton later hid him (Kelly) in the back vnrd, and gave him a mask to wear." Bulling off their boots, they entered an outhouse, Hilton carrying the club all the time." After exchanging jackets they went upstairs, where they heard Mr* Bardslcy counting his money. At Hilton's' request he (Kelly) took the club because Hilton said he "might not hit him hard enough." On seeing Bardslcy, Hilton presented a revolver and said "Hands up!" After turning up the gas Mr Bardslcy began shouting and made for the door. He fell, and as he was falling he (Kelly) struck him on the arms. Hilton then hit Bardslcy as he lay on the floor. Later he cleaned Mr Bardslcy's face and heard him say, "Oh, dear! where am I?" and he (Kelly) put a cloth across his head and told him to lie quiet as he would be all right soon. When they were leaving the premises Hilton turned back to remove his apron, which was in the room, and they arranged to meet each other at the corner of the. street. Kelly denied ever having struck Mr Bardslcy on the head. The jury found both prisoners guilty, recommending them to mercy on account of their youth.