THE INVERELL TRAGEDY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1692, 21 October 1887, Page 2

THE INVERELL TRAGEDY

The trial of Wadham Wyndham, of Bukulla, Dear Inverell, for the murder of his wife and three children, was commenced at Armldale on the 7th. It will he remembered that Wyndham, the proprietor of tbe Bakulla estate, murdered his wife and three children under most revolting circumatanoea while m a fit of religious mania. The prisoner, who appeared greatly dejected, had greatly altered m appearance ainoe th« crime. He acknowledged having taken the lives of hia dear wife and children, not with felonious intent or any murderous feelings, bat In a spirit of sacrifice. This waa construed as a plea of not guilty, and the evidence given at the inquest was* again taken. The judge summoned up by saying that it was evident that Wyndhara was laboring under a Btrong delusion when he killed h(> wife and children. The jary returned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of insanity, and the prisoner was ordered io be detained during the Governor's pleasure. The evidenoe of the [prison officials showed that while m Armldale Gaol awaiting trial Wyndham behared m a quiet and gentlemanly manner, being to all appearances perfectly sane. As the trial approached, however, he became utterly dejected, and so changed that he was pcarcely recognised as the same man. He broke down several timees during the trial, »p i appeared to kneenly realise tbe terrible consequenobs of his "act of sacrifice."