THE MURPHY PERJURY CASE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2436, 8 January 1881, Page 2

THE MURPHY PERJURY CASE.

SECOND EDITION

In passing sentence at the Christchurch Criminal Sessions yesterday on Michael Murphy, convicted of perjury, His Honor Judge Johnstone referred to the heinous nature of the crime of which he had been guilty. The motive in the case was money, the prisoner hacking up the defence of his brother by what he had characterised at the time as a had case of conspiracy. But whilst this was so, he would not allow anything he might have read in the newspapers to weigh with him in the discharge of justice. Nothing would weigh with him in the discharge of justice. Nothing would weigh with him in the witness box as ho had seen him, or standing in the dock as he had seen him. According to the law ho found that the sentence was four years’penal servitude, but as this was not one of the worst cases of perjury that could come before him, he therefore would pass upon him a very light sentence, sueh us, while it would vindicate the law, would yet he but a light sentence for the despicable crime of which he had been found guilty. There was no doubt that lie hnd been concerned in a case of conspiracy which hnd been productive of the most baneful effects to society, and that he was a most dangerous man. The sentence of the Court was that he be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for two years. The prisoner Watt was then sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labor. His Honor remarking that he had no doubt been led away by the prisoner Murphy. At the same time the Court must mark its sense of the offence, though passing but a light sentence.