CONNELLY CONFESSES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 238, 1 October 1908, Page 2

CONNELLY CONFESSES.

THE MURDER OF BI'RKE. A COLD-BLOODED STATEMENT. By Telegraph.- -Press Association. Ilokilika. Wednesday. Connelly, in liis confession of t he murder of lliirke at Westport, stales thai he look the man out of the SiolW with tlie intention of robbing hi m . He went to lHi: shed where lie stood Jinrke up against a dray. Iu the struggle he hit Burke, knocking iiim down. Connelly then lost liis temper and kicked' P.urke, indicting the fatal injuries A knife was not used. The knife and one "f the pipes found on Connelly were llnrko's. .Mrs. M. J'earee, who gave evidence, was not about at the time of the attack. llalliiven and Anderson, who are now serving a seven years' sentence lor manslaughter of Burke, arc innocent men. The story of tneir connection with the crime and the reference to the tobacco as a connecting link were concocted by prisoner while in gaol in order to save himself. Connelly avers that lie did not commit murder, robbing being his only design. Chief Detective Mcllveney received the confession from uiie prisoner when he interviewed him after the trial knsl night. The detective asked him, now that he had had a full and fair trial, whether the verdict was a just one.

Connelly, hanging his head, replied, "Yes, sir." lie then made his statement, which was reduced to writing by the detective. Afterwards (he slatemenl was read over to prisoner in the presence of (he gaol officials. Connelly assented to it as correct and signed the document in plant, bold hand-writing: "William Connelly." After the Nelson trial, when Jlallineu and Anderson were sentenced, Detective .Mcllveney went to Connelly in company with the Crown Prosecutor and asked him if the verdict were correct. Connelly then adhered to liis former version of the three being implicated. The case excited great interest here, and last night the Court was ipacked with the crowd waiting to bear the verdict.

The Judge's summing-up was generally in favor of accused. He told the jury that they were practically trying the same issue as the Nelson jury Their reversal of the Nelson finding is now vindicated by Connelly's confession.

POSITION OF HALINEN AND ANDERSON. Hokrtika, Wednesday. When the Court assembled this morning, the Judge said he supposed Mr. llanan would not now go on with Hie application for a new trial. Even had not Connelly confessed, his Honor would not have granted the application, lie had omitted to tender his thanks lo the jury, and he now desired to do so for their long and patient service. The confession by prisoner would relieve their minds, ,'ls it had been all extremely dWlicul t and puzzling case. Mr. Herdman and Mr. McDonald were to be congratulated on the steps taken to vindicate their two clients. Halinen and Anderson. He had communicated the result, of the proceedings to the Minister for Justice, and no doubt the Executive had taken the matter into immediate consideration. He asked the Press publicly to express his thanks to the jurymen.

COWCRXMENT TAKIKfi ACTION'. Wellington, Last Night. When tiie House resumed to-night, Mr. Colviu asked, without notice, what steps the Government intended to take in regard to the Westport murder case. The Prime Minister, in Hi,, absence of th<> .Minister of Justice, said the Government had been advised of the position, and was a.ware that Connolly had signed a confession. It was the desire of the Government to do what wfhat was fair and right towards tho two men undergoing imprisonment. The proper course would lye followed, That was hcing done and the necessary action would be taken to-morrow nioniing.