The Waikomiti Murder

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 138, 11 May 1893, Page 2

The Waikomiti Murder

SCOTT TO BE HANGEP. (I'KR PKKSH ASSOCIATION.) Wellington, May 10 The decision which has been arrived at in tlio Waikomiti murdur caso is that tho law should take its course, the Executive being of opinion that nothing has been adduced to give a reason for altering the sentence of the Court. Immediately the warrant for the execution is received it will be forwarded to tho Sheriff in Auckland, and the death sentence will bo carried out within seven days of that date. Auckland. May 10 The news that tho law must tako its course ia the Waikomiti rnurdor eatf© waa announced to Scott by the chief gaoler at Mount Edon prison. Tho convict who was in tho exercise yard, appearod somewhat anxious when called into his cell, but, wheu told of his fate, recovorod his selfpossession immediately, aud gayo no further sjgn of oiuotion. The circumstances of the murder will be pretty fresh in the public mind. Thompson was a retired English barrister, living with his young wife and one child on property ho hud bought at Waikomiti, a Bparsely peopled settlement, 1.1 miles out of Auckland, to the south- west. Alex. Scolt (the ponvicted man) was a bachelor neighbour, who was treated as a privileged and intimate firiend. Scott abused the confidence reposed in him by carrying on an intrigue with his friend's wife. The evidence disclosed the existence of improper relations between them, and the jury, upon strong medical testimony, found that Scott had deliberately poisoned Thompson by administering arsenic in his food or medicine.