THE MILLER'S FLAT MURDER.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 614, 2 June 1882, Page 2

THE MILLER'S FLAT MURDER.

A man named John Kitto, of Miller's Flat, Roxburgh, Olago, went to the residence of his son-in -law, Joseph Augustus Itoggiero, about 7 o'clock on Sunday night, and without any warning, shot through the window with a rifle at Koggiero, who was sittirig by the fire. The screams of Itoggiero's wife atiracted her brother-in-law, who had to passlvitto's house. Ki.ro shot him also, the ball entering the wiist and coming out at the elbow. Roggiero died a short time afterwards. Kitio, who was in the Lunatic Asylum some time ago. came to Roxburgh, and gave himself up to the police. The brother-in-law who was shot through the arm. was named Peler Klogh. He was a son-in law of Kitto.

Later,

K'llo, who is now in the lockup at Rox.bt.irgh, is evidently Buffering from religious mania. When tohl his son-in-law was doad, he replied—'"Praise be to God." It is just reported that unfavorable symptoms aie showing in the wounded man Klogb. Willi respect to Kmo, the jieipeliaior of the recent Miller's Flat murder, it has transpired that aboot four joarsagohe was an inmate of Dnnedin Lunatic Asylum for a nionlh. At that time, however, he was perfectly quiet and inoffensive, his delusion consisting only ia a deeply seated grudge against bis sonjn law Roggiorio, who has now become his viciim. Tin eats by Kit to against the laiter are recorded in the books of the institution, and Kiito was possessed by the remarkable idea that Roggiero was the devil, an hallucinaiion which probably accounts for the exclamation, " Praise be to God,' , when informed of the fatal effect of the shot.

Tuo following aro fuller details of the murder:—

On S.mday evening, about ton minutes past six o'clock John Kit.to, wont to the residence cf one of bin sons-in-law, Joseph Augustus Liuggiero, and without giving any warning deliberately lireel a gun loaded with ball through the window oil the house, shooting Kuggiero (who was silling by the rire nursing a child) through tiio breast, tho bullei; inflicting , a mortal wound in its passage through the lungs. Tnu child, strange to say, was uninjured. Mis iuig-giero, who was going about some household duties, on hearing the report of the lillo screamed, and, seeing the child fall out of iier husband's arms, ran over to hia assistance. On receiving the fatal wound deceased cried out " I'm shot; run for help ." His wife then ran for her brother-in law (Peter Cloogh), also a son-in-law of Kitto, who lived close to hand, and another man named Murray, who also lived close by, accompanied him. Upon noaring Kitto's house another shot wa* fired, which missed Murray by a hair':? breadth, and i-.tr.c.!-. O'.ough oi: th'j v.,ist, Ui.j ;>;a : j t.'tiiaiiifi , out at ihi) ijlbovv. Afier lL>;. neighbors ilo'.l ivy safety, Uie ;;roiUor pa it oli them taking :-hdi>.;t' in i\i r L'mUuVi residence, utid al';cr barriering itivi duo: , tuey rounined iitere for two or Uirei.! hour.-.;, iiot daring to venture out lest they should receive a builei in i.Loirhc-ada. A p.jrsun ihv.neu Cvjorgo MTitiy (who was on v visit to ileudertioii'.i station) waa tho '

first to venture into Ruggiero's house. When he went in the sight that met his gaze was appalling. There lay Ruggiero on the bed, where he had managed to drag himsolf, in a dying state, and the infant was lying on the floor in convulsions.