RUNANGA MURDER TRIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1790, 16 February 1918, Page 3

RUNANGA MURDER TRIAL.

EGGERS TO BE HANGED. - Christchurch, Feb, 14. The West Coast murder trial was concluded to-day. Elizabeth McMahon, the barmaid friend of the accused, gave evidence of her -interview with Rogers and the police subsequent to the tragedy. Cross-examined, she said a watch, chain, and pendant, costing £46, was bought with her money. She gave accused a roll of notes when they went out together. The pistol produced, or one similar, was at her lodgings in Christchurch all the time Eggers was on the Coast, When accused left, on October,23rd, he had a good bit of money, including a big roll of notes. The pistol w T as bought for her by accused, as she wanted to learn to shoot. She was surprised when she learned that the pistol was in the brief bag ■with a lot of ammunition, as she never knew Eggers to take it out, and she knew he had not taken it to the Coast. No evidence was called for the defence. The jury returned a verdict of guilty. When asked if he had anything to say, accused seemed to make an attempt to articulate, but did not say anything. But when his Honour (assuming the black' cap) said; “The sentence is that you be taken to the place of execution and there be hanged till you are dead,” Eggers showed' no signs of emotion. He was then removed from the dock. His Honour said: “I wish to say that I think the thanks of the country are due to the detective and police officers, and some of the public assisting them, for the maimer in which they have brought this offender tff’justicc.” It was ordered that, the money found on accused and in his bag be declared the property of the Crown.