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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 45, 7 March 1884, Page 5

A terrible tragedy was recently enacted in open court during the trial of two political prisoners at Lusk, in the Bussian province of Volhynia. Two Poles named Wierzbicki, and Wilczinski who were banished to Siberia after the events of 1863, effected their escape some months ago, but were lately arrested in the province of Volhynia and brought up for trial. Wierzbicki is 50 years of age and his companion 43 The jury found both prisoners guilty of the charge brought against them, and the former was consequently condemned to ninety strokes of the rod and banishment for life to the Siberian mines, while the latter was sentenced to ten years hard labour in the Siberian mineg and banishment for life. Hardly had the two unfortunate men heard their fate when Wierzbicki sprang to his feet and exclaimed, "Be accursed, ye soul murderers ! you will not see me to-morrow," saying saying which he plunged a large knife into his neck. Great confusion ensued, and when the judge called upon the guard and prison warder to remove the wounded man those officials were nowhere to be found. It was afterwards discovered that Wilczinski had escaped, but he was recaptured in the town. Wierzbicki lies in a precarious state, little hope being entertained of his recovery. The Public Prosecutor has ordered the arrest of all the officials whose absence from court permitted Wilczinski to get away.