THE WAGGA MURDER. CONFESSION OF REILLY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 409, 9 October 1889, Page 3

THE WAGGA MURDER. CONFESSION OF REILLY.

Reilly, who, according to our cablegrams of recent date, has been sentenced to death for the murder at Christopher Eppel at Wagga, N.S. W., confessed his guilt ab an adjourned inquest held on Wednesday last. He stated that he started in the employ of Eppel at Bourke to drove cattle to Wodonga. He was tempted to murder this man and rob, and did the deed sure enough. It was not any evil spirit >or any' ill-will thab tempted him to commit the deed ; it was in a fie of madness through a person — a female, concerning whom he declined to relate any furbher particulars. He left Mr O'Donnell's on Saturday evening and wen to the camp of Mr Eppel, and there was nobody there. He then procured a rifle and ammunition, and laid in wait for Eppel. He heard Eppel and two other men come home, but did not converse with either of them. He slept uneasy that night, and next morning got his rifle and went to Eppel's tent. Eppel looked up when he heard Riley at his door, and the latter shot him in that position, subsequently taking possession of the murdered man's watch and chain. Riley at first thought of giving himself up, but changed his mind, and, when he saw the police in pursuit, he started off, wishing they would shoob him. He bold them to shoob him when he was caught. In conclusion, he expressed repentance for his crime, and expressed a hope that God would pardon him for the same. The jury returned a verdict of " wilful murder," which was '.ipheld by the Supreme Court, and the accused was sentenced to death.