KYEBURN MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1928, Page 5

KYEBURN MURDER

HARDIE GETS LIFE SENTENCE.

v ßy Telegraph—Press Association)

DUNEDIN, November 8

William John Hardin, who was found guilty of manslaughter at Kyeburn of Joe Shum. was sentenced to imprisonment witli hard labour for life.

HAP DIE’S SENTENCE

THE JUDGE’S COMMENTS

DUNEDIN, Nov. 8

In sentencing Hardie to life imprisonment. Judge MacGregor said: On the evidence the jury might have convicted prisoner of murder. He could find no extenuating circumstances to warrant the passing of less than a life sentence. It was quite plain that he killed his unfortunate victim in very brutal circumstances, lie was a young man of 22 years, who had been in and out of industrial schools from an early age. He seemed to have been incorrigible and dishonest and had been convicted for forgery, uttering and theft. Mr Hanlon, the prisoner’s counsel, had previously intimated the abandonment of his intention to get the Judge to state a case for the Appeal Court, with regard to the admissability of the dying declaration of the Chinaman. He admits the Crown Prosecutor stated the files showed the prisoner seemed abnormal and would not suggest insanity, but Hardie differed from other people and the speaker had lif tie doubt that had been the origin of the crime. In concluding. the Judge remarked that if as suggested by counsel, the prisoner showed signs of reformation, no doubt it would be open to the Prisons’ Board to take what stops it considered advisable in the way to release him or otherwise. Hardie showed no emotion as he was led away.