THE BALFOUR MURDER CASE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XII, Issue 1774, 28 September 1895, Page 2

THE BALFOUR MURDER CASE.

SENTENCE OF DEATH. Invercargill, Wednesday. The trial of John Keown for thejnurder of Hugh Stewart, bailiff at Bal four, by shooting him, concluded at five p.m., and after deliberating for two and a-half hours, the jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. His Honor, in passing sentence of death, said that the recommendation of the jury, looking at the prisoner’s previous history,, might not be altogether urn easonable, and in the course of his duty he would intimate that, opinion to the proper authorities. His Honor sincerely askod and recommended Keown not to place too great con fidence in the jury’s recommendation. The defence was directed to showing that Keown, since a fall on his head six years ago, had been subject to fits pf violence, delusions, and melancholia, which was aggravated by excessive drinking. It was deposed that Keown had been known to drink two gallons of whisky in five days ; that he had stabbed his own horses, tied up thei legs, and left them without food for a day, and denied all knowledge of having done snch things. Dr James Young, formerly superintendant of the Auckland Asylum, said that such a thing as alcoholic insanity was recognised, and that in some cases injuries to the head would make a subject more susceptible to the influence of alcohol. He should say that Keown had been at the time of the tragedy suffering from acute -ilcoholic insanity, which was a-very dangerous kind of lunacy. He was sane now.

Dr McLeod, the goal surgeon, was also of opinion, after examination, that ICeown was now of sound mind.