Connelly Found Guilty Sentenced to Seven Years

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12581, 30 September 1908, Page 5

Connelly Found Guilty Sentenced to Seven Years

Confesses to the Murder of

Bourke.

(Per United Press Association.) HOKITIKA, Sept. 29. In the Westport perjury case against Wm. Connelly, Mr Justice Cooper occupied a\ hours in summing up. The issue was practically whether Haliuen and Andirsen, convicted at Nelson of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years, Lad been wrongfully convicted, and the present prosecution had been brought to teat this. His Honor •summed up most pronouncedly in accused's favour, holding that although Connelly stood' convicteil from his own. admissions no corroborative evidence had been adduced as required by the statute. The case has occupied 8 days and the jury has been locked up for 9 days. After a retirement of four hours the jury brought in a verdict of guilty on eight counts of the indictment and not guilty on the last unimportant count. Mr Hanan, for the defence, asked leave to move for ,a fresh trial on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of evidence.

His Honor, while reserving leave to move for a fresh trial, said he did not think the application would be granted as he was satisfied the jury had fciven most careful consideration to the whole case. !■ The prisoner was sentenced to seven years' hard labour. It is authentically reported that priboner, after being taken back to his cell, confessed that he alone murdered Bourke.