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Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 148, 4 July 1901, Page 4

HOW DEATH WAS CAUSED. Dr Murray said Mrs Martin’s death was caused by four blows from a heavy-edged instrument. They were such as would hat e been caused by the tomahawk produced. Any one wound would have caused death. Miss Martin's body was found in the kitchen with six similar wounds on the head, and with the linger amputated at the second joint. Death was in her ease also caused by wounds. The child was found in Mrs Martin's bedroom, killed by wounds"on the head from a similar weapon. All three were apparently killed at the same time. When the bodies were seen they had been dead three or four days.

Inspector Ellison described finding the bodies. He found a tomahawk with blood and hairs adhering to it in an upstairs room. In accused's bedroom he found accused's coat with blood splashes, and also discovered a shirt newly washed exactly similar to the shirt accused was wearing. Dr Irvine corroborated the medical evidence as to the stains on the clothing and blood splashes. Dr Symes said a dozen bloood stains on accused's coat he had found on microscopical examination, also two on the shift. Compared with the hair on tho tomahawk, he was satisfied that some of the hair of each victim was on the hatchet. In answer to the Coroner, he said he could not prove it to be human blood, but the blood of a mammal. To Mr Stringer: The stains were of the same age, but were not over a month old. 'VISITORS TO THE HOUSE. E. M. Hall deposed that ho slept at Mis M irtin’s on the 20th, the night before the murder. He left at 8 a.m. on the 'list, leaving the murdered persons, Mrs Field, and accused about. He went to work at Mr G. 11. Martin’s, and accused came across there at 2 p.m., to sharpen his axe. Accused knew witness was going to Yaldhurst that night, and was returning on Wednesday, the 26th. Accused was wearing the coat and shirt (produced, showing the stains) on the 21st. Miss Martin gave witness a cheque for JE9 to cash. Accused was near and knew this.

,T. Field deposed that he also slept at Martin’s on the 20th, and left at 8.30 on the 21st. Accused was sitting at breakfast without his coat, and witness told him to put his coat on. Accused put on tho coat produced. Dinah Martin, mother of the deceased boy and wife of G. 11. Martin, owner of a farm half a mile from the scene of the murder, said she knew accused, who had been working for Mrs Martin for two months. She was frequently there. She identified the coat and shirt. She was present when it was bought by Miss Martin for accused.

Victor Martin, aged ton years, deposed that he often went to his grandmother’s. He knew accused, and identified the saddle, bridle, horse and trap, and his aunt’s watch. MURDERER OX THE ROAD.

J. Giles deposed that on Saturday, 22nd, he saw accused driving deceased's horse and trap in a westerly direction from the scene of the murder.

Louisa Garlicky *a servant at the Torminus Hotel, Oxford, deposed that accused on tho 22nd, at 12.60 pan., came with a horse and trap and had dinner and a whisky. He said ho came from Kaiapoi and was going to tho West Coast. S. Halliday deposed that near Sheffield on the 23rd accused, at 8.45 a.m., asked how far wore Greendale, Christchurch,

Dunsandel, Itangitata bridge, and Fairlic creek. He said he once lived at Fairlic and came from the West Coast yesterday. Accused was driving Martin’s mare and trap.

Arthur Major stated that at Greendale on the 24th, at 4.20 p.m,, ho met accused riding a marc similar to Mrs Martin’s. He asked where the road took him. Witness replied, “ Rakaia bridge.” Accused said he was looking for some men who had stolen two horses and a trap. The trap ho was in was Mrs Martin’s. Oliver McCurdy, a platelayer at An-

nama, deposed that on tho 26th accused came over to his hut at 8 p.m. enquiring the road to Tinwald and Ashburton. Ho was riding and asked for a feed. Witness noticed his feet, and accused said they had been crushed. He had a watch, which witness identified as Miss Martin’s.

He said his mother gave it to him before she died. He paid for matches and a feed, from a purse identified as Miss Martin’s ; also showed a coin, “ Keep your temper,” the property of Miss Martin. Accused said he came from Eyrcton.

Witness asked, “Where’s that'?” Accused said sixteen miles from Lake Heron. He said he had been mustering. Witness refused to put him up, and he left at 1 a.m., going in the direction of Tinwald. MURDERER’S DREADFUL CONFESSION.

Detective Fitzgerald stated that accused voluntarily said : I aui very sorry for the girl, and what I have done, I don’t know what made me do it, and I suppose I will have to die like them. I have been living with the Martin’s for twelve weeks, and intended to have stayed there for the rest of my life. I had got on very well, and they had been very good to me, On Friday, before this thing took place, Miss Martin and I washed the trap, as all arranged to go to Christchurch to sec the Duke and Duchess. I felt fairly well that night. At 8 o’clock, Mrs Martin’s boy also wont to bed. We bad some music boforo retiring. Miss Martin played the harmonium, while we sang Sankey's hymns. She said she would remain up to do the ironing. She was ironing the sheets you saw on the table. She came to my room about ti a.m., and woke me up to go to the horses. I had forgotten to turn them out the night before. The foal bad got out of the stable, and the mare was uneasy. I got out, and fixed up the horses. I came into the kitchen, where Miss Martin was ironing. I stood a good while, and helped her with the ironing. We had been good friends before, but no familiarity bad taken place. I put my arms round her. (Accused then admitted outraging her.) She refused me again. I then said I would tell. She became angry, and got the poker, and hit me on the head, and knocked me down. I was stunned.” Accused asked me to feel his head, where there was a small lump. Accused went on: “The light was out, and I picked up the tomahawk, and hit her. Seeing what I had done I became, confused, and did not know what I was doing. I then went into the old woman's room. She was asleep in bed and the boy was in the corner of the room sleeping, and I also dealt it out to them. I changed my clothes, had a wash, and got some money, about £9, which was in that purse.” (I indicated Miss Martin’s purse, found on him). Accused said, I found the purse in the kitchen. It belonged to Miss Martin, and the coin and watch and chain arc also hers. I left the house at 7 a.m. I locked the door and threw the key away in the garden. I harnessed the marc and took a saddle as well. I was thinking of going to the West Coast, but had no particular dcsiination. I lost my way several times on the road. I had no sleep for a fortnight previous to this, as I got a letter from my grandmother at Eagle hawk which contained bad news and upset me. I hope she does not hear of this, as it will kill her. She nearly died three years ago when my uncle died. You will find that loiter in a tin box in the kitchen, with a lot of letters belonging to Miss Martin.” Accused then described bis movements and route to the time of arrest. DENIAL AND ADMISSION.

Constable Fade, who arrested accused, said he denied his name, but afterwards admitted he murdered the three Martins, and that lie took the money and a watch, and showed where the horse and saddle were. On accused was .£6 19s 6d. He made the statement given by Detective Fitzgerald. Accused asked no questions. COMMITTED FOE TRIAL.

Accused was committed for trial. The Coroner then read over the evidence to the jury, who found a verdict of wilful murder against Alexander McLean.