THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1463, 22 January 1887, Page 2

THE GREAT BARRIER MURDER

♦ Auckland, January 21, '"* Robert MoKloley corroborated Pearoe'i evidenoe. Before the next witneai was oalled, a debate took plaoe as to the order of add ceasing the Court. Mr Napier, oounsel for Peno, held that Mr Govern (Crown Proseoutor) ihoald follow Mr O'Measjher, counsel for Oaffrey, and he (Me Napier) have the last word to the jury before His Honor summed up. He (Air Napier) bad oalled no evidenoe, and aooording to usage was entitled to speak last, the right of the AttorneyGeneral being a personal one. Mr Govern contended that the faot of evKlenoe being oalled for one prisoner took away both counsel's right of replying last, which he claimed. Mr Justice Ward maintained Mr Go7ern's contention. Mr O'Meapher addsessed the jury at length on behalf of Oaffrey, maintaining the latter's innocence of murder. Had he been able to place the aooused m the witness-box he would have proved Perm was the guilty party, but he relied upon showing such was the oase from the olrourastanoes adduced m the evidenoa of tho witnes es for the prosecution. He regretted being forced into the position of pleading for one man's life at the^acrifioa of another's. He went on to review the evidence, pointing out numerous facts m support of his theory of Oaffrey'a lnnooenoa of firing the fatal shots. . January 22. Mr Napier made a statement ou behalf of Perm, that he only meant to help Caffrey to elope with Mrs Beymour, and that Oifirey fired the fatd shot m the bedroom. In concluding his address Mr Napier appealed to the jury not to send a innocent man to an untimely grave and & dishonored end. It is expected that the Great Barrier trial will be finished before 5 p.m. . unless the Jury takes a long time to deliberate.