THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2330, 17 September 1921, Page 2

THE ONGAROTO TRAGEDY

DEATH SENTENCE PASSED,

JURY FINDS KAIIU GUILTY OF MURDER.

COUNSEL INDICATES APPEAL,

Hamilton, Sept. 10. In the Ongoroto murder trial the jury, after a retirement of three hours, returned a virdict of guilty, and the prisoner was sentenced to death.

Mr Hampson, for the prisoner, asked His Honour to grant leave to appeal, under section 442, against His Honour’s direction to the jury in the second trial, when he commented upon the fact that the prisoner had not been called upon to give evidence. i

Mr Hampson held that as this was published in the papers, it had caused a prejudicial effect upon the minds of the public, of whom the jury consisted portion.

His Honour said he did not see that what happened at the second trial had anything to do with the. present trial, but he would give Mr Hampson every assistance if he desired to go to the Court of Appeal. Prisoner, who bore up stolidly throughout the trial, showed no signs t>£ emotion until the death sentence was pronounced, when his eyes tilled with tears, and he showed signs of partial collapse.

The hciiring, just concluded, was the third trial of the Maori, Ilakaraia Tc Kalin, for the murder of Richard 13.l 3 . Elliott, at Ongaroto, on Easter Sunday. Mr Justice Stringer presided at the third trial.