THE WANGANUI MURDER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 932, 2 May 1883, Page 2

THE WANGANUI MURDER.

At the Wanganui Supreme Court in, the murder case, the jury, returned at 11.1 son Monday night,, and gave , a verdict of guilty, recommending the prisoner to mercy. There was a dead silence in the Court. Immediately on the verdict being given, Mr Hutchison informed His Honor of the prisoner’s own statement. She said she was pre|j- ! nant. His Honor remarked that if he had known that before, he would have provided for the presence, of. women from whom to get a jury of matrons. A discussion took place as to the course of procedure, whether the; prisoner should be sentenced .first, and? examined after, or whether the jury should be sworn next morning to make investigation prior. His Honor eventually produced authority to show that sentence should be given first. He then assumed the black cap, and sentenced the prisoner to death. r s , On the Court resuming yesterday morning, the prisoner was brought up. ■ She stated that site was pregnant, and .in answer to the question why sentence should not be executed, a jury pf twelve matrons was then empannelled. ; His Honor informed them their duty was to ascertain the truth of prisoner’s statements. They retired to an outer room, the prisoner being in charge of the gaoler’s wife. After medical assig- . tance was called in, and about an hour’s deliberation, the jury came outside, and said they all agreed but one. His Honor remarked that they must be unanimous like other juries. 'They must retire. Eventually they agreed, and gave a verdict to the best of their belief that she was with child. His Honor, said there would be a respite till the criminal sessions of October. The recommendation of the jury would’ be communicated to the Governor.