THE TRIAL OF WINIATA.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2582, 17 July 1882, Page 3

THE TRIAL OF WINIATA.

[PEE33 ASSOCIATION TBZ.BOBAU.J AUCKLAND, July 16. On the 1 resumption of Winiata's case today, Clement Newton, a half-caste, deposed to Winiata's confessing to him in 1880, at Hikurangi, that a half caste called Harry killed Packer, and he assisted in the murder. Robert Barlow, a half caste, and Constable Gillies, deposed to Winiata's capture. Mr Dufanr, counsel for Winiats, celled ns witnesses for the defence, bat made a brief address to the jury, in which he contended that Winiata’s confession was untrue, andsimple Maori bounce. The accused was only connected with the murder through Mrs Austin’s evidence. The Crown Prosecutor addressed the jury at length, reviewing the evidence. The Judge’s summing np lasted an hour. He asked the jury to consider the whole evidence dispassionately. The jury were half an hour considering their verdict, and returned with a verdict of “ Guilty.” The Court was crowded ro excess, aud Winiata received the verdict without visible emotion. In reply to a challenge why sentence of death should not be passed on him, he made a statement of an hour’s duration, identical with that already published, as to the half-caste Harry committing the deed, and that he ran away from fear of being charged with the crime.

His Honor, in passing sentence of death, said the evidence was so clear that no denial could affect the mind of anyone who heard it. It was a foal, deliberate, and unprovoked murder. Tho prisoner had long escaped justice, but it had at length overtaken him. There was but one punishment for his offence —death. Tho prisoner, who appeared agitated, held np bis hand as if he wished to say something in reply, but Le was hurried out of the dock by the attendants before he oould speak, and got into a cab accompanied by two warders and the gaoler before the crowd could get round to the avenue, and was driven rapidly away to Mount Eden gaol.