THE CANTERBURY MURDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1923, Page 2

THE CANTERBURY MURDER.

KISS ML DKCLAI! KD IN SANK. [nr TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCTIFRC7I. Aug. L't. The trial of Kissel for the murder of the old man, MaoKonzie, which lias evolved into the most important murder trial in the criminal annals of the Dominion and probably under British criminal code, both from a legal and medical point of view, was com laded this evening. The day was taken up with the address of counsel and His Honour’s -om-iniiig-tip. The jury retired at 3.-71 p,.a . but returned at 1.31 p.m. and •sc.-i His Honour whether a verdict of guilty while temporarily insane, vould ho equivalent to a verdict of i :i guilty. His Honour: “Yes. \on would return a verdict of not guilty, on the grounds of insanity. In that ease T would ask you two questions (l) was accused insane at the time ol the commission of the offence;' (2) do you acquit him on the ground of insanityr” The jury "again retired and returned at 7.12 p.m. In answer to the registrar. the foreman said: “We find tho prisoner guilty oi murder, while temporarily insane, with a strong recommendation that he he detained in a suitable institution." His Honour: That amounts to a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. How do you answer the question 1 put to you. The foreman: To the first we answer “Yes.” to the second we are unable to answer. You have answered it in your first question. Mr Foreman, you must find that you acquit him. The foreman: We are n,.t unanimous on the second count ! His Honour: 1 think von will have to find him guilty, while temporarily insane, which means that you find him not guilty on the grounds of insanity. At all events you don’t acquit him on any other grounds. The foreman: No. Your Honour.

His Honour then announced the verdict and added that the prisoner would be kept- in strict custody, in prison, at Uaparua. till the pleasure of the .Minister of Justice was known.