THE KAIWARRA MURDER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1918, 18 July 1889, Page 1

THE KAIWARRA MURDER.

At the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Monday, His Eonor tbe Chief Justice summed up the evidence taken in the charge against Louis Chemis for the murder of Hawkings. The jury retired at 12.50, returned at 6.15 p.m,, and brought in a verdict of “ Guilty.’’ In answer to the usual question whether he had anything to say why sentence should not be pronounced prisoner said Yes, I have a few words, 1 reckon I have been treated by the detectives. very badly. , They say they never found any powder flask in my place. I say there was one there on tbe right hand side and just close to tbe shot pouch, and the police could have picked up either just as easily; as one. They also say they never saw any quail, but I can assure ypur honour there were four of them in the hack room. In a tin I had wadi for my gun, and I never used paper j to load with in my life. As to the bullets a blacksmith named Gibson gave me ten of them to shoot pigs, and I hope your honour will find out the truth of what I am now saying , tomorrow or some time. The detectives also say they never saw a wadcuttar, but I tell your honour it was close! to the shot pouch. I repeat that the detectives have treated me very badly. I am ready t© die now or swing at the gallows to-morrow, but I say I! am innocent of the crime. AIM care for is the wife and children; for myself I care nothing, because I am innocent.” His Honour then put on the black cap. He appeared much affected as he said ; —I do not feel it my duty to; say much, but I may say the few words you have just uttered about the pplice will in my opinion go far to confirm in the minds of most people the fact of your guilt. I do not believe moment that the police conspired in your death. It is not for me to express an opinion in concurrence with the verdict which the jury have returned. The prosecution has been moat careful and fair, and the defence able ; and no point in your favour has been lost, The death sentence was then pronounced. The jury had been absent a little over four hours, and the court, was crowded the whole time. Prisoner maintained his cool and determined look to the last, and never exhibited the slightest change. His wife, who has been in the court throughout the trial was very much affected, and while the sentence was being pronounced was sobbing bitterly in the corridor. The verdict excited considerable surprise and discussion, very few persons having expected a conviction. Even the police authorities expected he would be acquitted. July 16. All the papers express the utmost surprise at the verdict in the Kaiwarra murder case. The New Zealand Times thinks the evidence strong, but the evening papers consider it weak ’ and the latter express a doubt about the evidence of the fragments of paper V All the papew agwe that the geaera

impression was that Chemis was the murderer, but that the jury would not venture to convict on the evidence, The papers point out that the criminal was given nearly 16 hours in which to conceal or make away with damnatory evidence. A petition has been drawn up praying for the commutation of the sentence. The Evening Post says it is the work of some gentlemen who feel that the prisoner is not the real murderer. A number of citizens waited upon Mr Fisher, the Italian Consul; to request that be would take steps in Chemis’ case with a view to obtain a commutation of the sentence. Mr Fisher undertook to do all in bis power to carry out* tbe wishes of the deputation, expressing at the same time his concurrence in the belief of forty out of every fifty people that the evidence was not sufficiently strong to justify a conviction.