THE NAPIER TRAGEDY. The Murderer's Account of the Deed. Napier, Thursday.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 February 1884, Page 5

THE NAPIER TRAGEDY. The Murderer's Account of the Deed. Napier, Thursday.

Edwards was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court at Ormondville to-day, and committed for trial on the charge of murdering his wife and family. Yesterday he made the following statement in the presence of a reporter. (The crowds referred to are, of course, the creation of a diseased imagination) : — "I had very little sleep for four nights before the murder. I was all right on Sunday, but towards evening I got strange fancies in my head. I fancied I heard a crowd of people outside the house threatening to burn me and my family alive. I then got the piece of firewood, and got it ready to defend myself and family. I waited some time for them to come. My wife wanted to go for Constable Shulz, and asked me to go myself, as she was sure he would stop with us for the night if asked to do so, but I was afraid of going myself or of letting her go on account of the fancies in my head of the voices I heard outside previously. I got better, and told her that I thought I would bo all right. She put the piece of wood in the fire, but I heard them corning again, and took it off and put it beside me and watched the door. My wife went in and out of the bedroom at different times, and lay down with exhaustion, as she had had very little sleep for five nights. All at once I heard a whole crowd outside singing out tbat they were going to b-irn us aU alive. I jumped up and went into the bedroom and knocked my wife senseless with a piece of wood, and then the children. I did this that they should not feel the pain when I was cutting their throats. .1 could not stand to see them burned alive. I then cut my own throat, but the knife being blunt, I could not finish it. As I heard them coming, I crawled under the big bed out of their road. I lay there some time. I then heard them at the back of the house. I got out into the garden, and hid behind a tree, but they would not leave me. 1 then ran across the paddock towards Plank's, but they followed me. I left them and went to Pykes, but I heard them again, and slid under the bridge, as I thought they would not follow me there. When I told Plank I would not be taken, I did not think of you (Constable Shulz) or the police. I was speaking of the crowd round me. I believe I will be hung for it. I desire it. I hope they won't keep me long. I want to meet my wife and family. I think I will go to the same place as they have, as they wil^ forgive^ me,"