THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1924, Page 1

THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY

HIGGINS ON TRIAL. DEFENCE. ONE OF INSANITY. [BV TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February 12. Tile trial of Higgins was continued tu-dav. Dr. Cole, of AVaihi, said that he spoke to Higgins shortly after the tragedy and found him rational, calm, it nil collected. At the hospital, Higgins said: ‘‘You don’t know how I have been persecuted!" Witness replied: “.Oh, i.ijhiuiy has been persecuting you." Higgins made no reply, but became sullen at d angry. Senior-Sergeant, O'Gtady said that at let the arrest, accused said he did net know why he went to the .school. He ju-t wandered up there, had an argument with the master, and shot him. Cross-examined, the witness said that had no recollect ion of Higgins ever having complained to him about persecution by neighbours, or about his i i rsc.s being killed. i'oustable Trasq said that the prisone, spoke of foul play by neighbours, resulting in the death of three horses, and that on several occasions neighbour- came through his farm at the (tend of night with the intention ol •doing harm to him ami his stock. Higgins said: T am prepared to face tile 11 j 11 sequences. 1 knew 1 was doing wrong, but 1 could not help myself." Air Sullivan, Counsel for Higgins,

said that the defence was that Higgins was at the time sttlferiug front a disease of tne mind that rendered him inenptd lc of know ing the nature ‘and quality ol his act. and that he could not distinguish right from wrong at the time. Was the shooting it criminal act or an insane act There was no motive in shooting the 1 oy McLean, urged cotitim ' because Airs McLean, was the tutmat whom Higgins had desired hi,vib, to visit. As regards the boy .Stewart, his people lived in another distil! !. In bis ease the crime al-o was vi! Inin! motive.