SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2134, 29 May 1920, Page 2

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

.GUXX FOEXI) GUILTY. EXD OF THE POXSOXBY MURDER TRIAL. Auckland, May 28. The trial of Dennis Gunn for The Ponsonhy murder concluded tonight, when the jury brought in a verdict of guilty. Addressing the prisoner, Mr Justice Chapman said he had been found guilty, after a long trial, in which the jury had shown the greatest care to see that he should only he convicted on the most absolute and convincing evidence'. That evidence, in His Honour’s mind, was absolutely conclusive that accused had murdered a worthy servant, of the State, Mr Braithwaite. The judge then assumed the black cap, and passed the death sentence. in farther remarks, His Honour said the ease had vindicated the Anger-print system of investigation and identification, if vindication were needed.

At the Auckland murder trial, Gunn went into the box and swore that lie had had nothing to do with the murder of Braithwaite. He detailed his movements on the night oi: the. crime, lie said he had not been at the Ponsonby post office. In cross-examination he refused to submit to a further fingerprint test. A witness deposed that lie saw Gunn outside a picture theatre just before 8 o’clock.