WAIRONGOMAI MURDER TRIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1732, 20 September 1917, Page 3

WAIRONGOMAI MURDER TRIAL.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. Gisborne, Sept. 19. The trial of Frank Inkster for the murder of Ole Andersen and Harvey Bradley at Waiorongomai on 22nd July, was eonehuled at the Supreme Court to-day. Mr Justice Ilosking delivered a lengthy summing up. His Honour said the jury had to be satisfied whether murder had been commitled, and, if so, if accused was the guilty person. It was for the Crown to establish its case, not- for the prisoner to establish his innocence. The conclusion originally arrived at, that it was a case of murder and suicide, had resulted through there not being that thorough investigation one would expect in a ease of murder. In murder cases they usually had to rely on circumstantial evidence. The prisoner, so far as was known, was the last person seen ■with the two deceased, and according to his statement lie came down to get a packhorse for Andersen. There was nothing belonging to the deceased found on accused, and it was on his subsequent conduct they were asked to judge the case. His Honour closely reviewed the evidence as to accused’s demeanour, and also dealt witli the question of motive. After half an hour's retirement the jury brought iu a verdict of not guilty.