THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2016, 18 December 1888, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND TRAGEDY.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,)

AUOKI.AKD, December 17. The Inqaeat ou the roicalna of Kate Kennedy, the woman shot on Prid»y, was held to-day »t the Hospital, before Dr. Philaon, Coroner, Sergeant ftl'Mahon deposed to having been called to Michael M'Dermott'ti on the niyht of the murder. Witness asked M'Dermott why he h*d shot himself, a^d the latter replied : " Because that Kate Kennedy ia every night tempting me and robbing me. She j ban been at me this foar or five years. I ehot her too. I dleoharged three bhots, two at myaelf and one at her. She broke my tobacoo, and my oandle, and I fired at her first and then at myself." Papers belonging to M'Dermott were prodaoed at the enquiry, bat Inspector Broham, who represented the police, stated that theßo papers contained a large amount of correspondence, anl It would take the Jury about two houra to go through them. They oontalned charges agaloit a number of peraonß who were possibly innocent, and they ought not therefore to be made public, eepeolally as M'Darmott'a mind must have been unhinged. He suggested that the letters should be read privately by the Jury. Mr Braeaey, who said he appeared m the interests of the deceased womtn, irged that the letters should be read, and should, moreover, be placed ia the hands of tho Breas, After a some--what sharp dlsoUßsion, the question wan snbmltled to the Jnry for decision, and they resolved that the letters Bhould ba read privately by themselves when they retired to consider their verdict, Joseph H. Neylon, a neighbor of M'Dermott, who entered the hoina shortly after the affray, deposed that M'Dermott admitted shooting himself and the woman ; and evidence to this effoot was also gives by Dr Hooper. Dr Lindsay stated that there was vow considerable probability that M'Dermott would recover. Bafure the jury retired Superintepdent Brohamexplalned through < the Coroner that it waa no question for a jury as to whether M'Dermott was insane; thit waa a question for the Supremo Court." After about a quarter of an hbur'a deliberation the Jury brupght m » verdiot "That the deceased died from a gun shot wound inflicted hy Miohaal M Dermott." It was pointed out that this was an open verdiot, but the Jary replied that they did not wish to express an opinion aa to the man's sanity. After a little discussion they agreed to add <o the verdiot the clause "But whether fßfcjntional or otherwiae there is no eyideuce to tthny."