Hedley Nye. the Accused.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 6 July 1909, Page 3

Hedley Nye. the Accused.

Hedley Nye, the accused, was then brought in from an adjoining toom to give evidence. He scanned those present with a questioning glance and then smiled, and on one or two occasions uttered a gutteral laugh, but did not seem at all concerned, nor evince any nervousness. The Coroner and officials were puzzled to know how to swear him, and his uncle took a seat next to him and tried to make him understand by saying that God would be very angry if he told a lie. He appeared puzzled and then smiled. The question was written: “Do you understand the nature of an oath ?” and he wrote underneath “Yes.” It was then written “will you swear to tell the truth?” and he again smiled and wrote “I do not think of it.” The next question was “do you know your father is dead ?” He nodded and smiled and wrote “Yes.” Again the Coroner wrote: “Do you know how he died?” Mr Moore then desired that he should be Informed that he need not”answer any questions which would incriminate himself and the Coroner wrote “you are not compelled to answer questions that will bring you into trouble. Write whether you wish to answer it.”

He seemed contused and gazed around with a puzzled expression and then wrote: “The shot went through the heart and head and died instantly.”

Another question asked was “Why did you go to Levin ?” and he wrote: “I go to Levin so the policeman not find me the way.” He then signed his name.