THE OAMARU MURDER CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1018, 17 October 1882, Page 3

THE OAMARU MURDER CASE.

The above murder case, in , which Alexander Beattie is charged with the murder of Sarah Adams, who was living with him as his wife, w*s continued all day Saturday at the Supreme Court, Dunedin. Mr Haggitt, Crown Prosecutor, started his address to the jury at 10 o’clock, and was followed by Mr counsel for the prisoner, who

continued until 4 p.m. Mr Justice WiPiams began to sum up at 4.20 p.m. ami concluded about 8 o’clock, when the jury retired. As they had not come to any decision at midnight, they were locked up until yesterday morning at 10 o’clock. Considerable interest was displayed in the result after the publication in the evening papers ©f counsels’ addresses, which enabled the reader to make out an intelligible story of the occurrence, which was a vain endeavor from the tangled mass of evidence, and the Court was crowded all the evening. Mr O’Meagher, counsel for the defence, set up the theory to the jury, not that the woman met her death by suicide as the Crown Prosecutor had said he expected would be done, but that first she attempted suicide by hanging, but was unsuccessful. This was in a deserted hut, near her residence. Then that in her own house she made a second attempt, tin’s time using a razor, and trying to cut her throat. Again the attempt was in vain. That then in a wretched state of mind, she wandered outside, fell down a bank before coming to the creek and struck her head against a tree, snd lastly fell into the the small creek where she died from cold and exposure. His Honor in summing up said the jury would have first to determine whether or not the woman died by murder, as any doubt on this question would render necessary the prisoner’s acquittal. But if they had no doubt on this point, then came the farther question, did the accused commit it? Reviewing the medical evidence as the nature ol the wounds on the head, he thought they must certainly come to the conclusion that the woman died by murder, aud he then proceeded to set out the fact detailed for and against the assumption that Beattie did the dee:!. When the Court resumed yesterday there was no probability of the jury agreeing and they were discharged. There were eight jurors for acquital and six for conviction It was agreed to try the case again in January, and Beattie was removed to his former custsdy.