Release of Louis Henry Bertrand

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 342, 18 June 1894, Page 2

Release of Louis Henry Bertrand

«. MEMORIES OF AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN CRIME. [Per Press Association.] Sydney, June 17 Memories of an almost forgotten crime have been revived bj' the decision of the Government to release, to-morrow, Louis Henry Bertram!, formerly a well-known dentist in Sydney, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 1866 for the murder of Mr Henry Kinder, principal toller in the City Bauk, but subsequently commuted to imprisonment for life. From revolting circumstances connected with the .murder and from the position of the parties (Mrs Bertrand and Mrs Kinder having alto been charged in connection with the affair but liberated by the Attorney) concerned, the case at the time was considered to be one of causa eclcbre of Court business. On October 2nd, 1865, Kinder died, and it was given out that he bad committed suicide by shooting himself. At the inquest deceased's wife gave evidence that Kinder had been under the influence of drink for some time and threatened to destroy himself, but subsequently suspicious circumstances caused the arrest of Mrs Kinder, at Bathurst, on a charge of murder. She was remanded, and at the same time Bertrand and his wife, intimate friends of Kindler'a were arrested on a similar charge. During the trial details of the most atrocious character' were adduced, including the diary of Bertrand and a bundle of letters written almost daily by him to Mrs Kinder, leaving no doubt of the male prisoner's intention to get rid of Kinder with whose wife he had a former liaison. Kinder had evidently been drugged day after day and finally dispatched by a pistol shot, it being suggested that Bertrand placed the weapon in deceased's hand, leading to the supposition of suicide. Mrs Bertrand was released, and it was clearly proved she acted in fear of her husband, who had used most terrible threats towards her, and that she had no knowledge of the intended murder. Bertrand and Mrs Kinder were, however, in March 1866, placed on trial, and the female prisoner was acquitted and Bernard sentenced to death. Eventually the case was referred to the Privy Council, and the sentence was, on the grounds of insanity, commuted to imprisonment for life. Bertrand, it may be said,' was in Kinder's company when the shot was fired, and although at the time the wound was inflicted no danger was anticipated, Kinder died four days later and when the body was exhumed traces of poison were found. Mrg Kinder was a native of Auckland, and it is said that after her acquittal returned to New Zealand where she re-married. Bertrand has been upwards of 29 years in gaol, which is the longest recorded life sentence in this colony.