THE SOUTHERN TRAGEDY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 21 November 1913, Page 5

THE SOUTHERN TRAGEDY.

BIDDLE SENTENCED TO DEATH, (By Tdtorash—tret* Auoctatum.) CHRISTCHURCH, Last N.ght. Alfred Biddle, charged witu the murder of Rose Anna- Jbilley at Mayfield on October 15th, was found guilty in the Supreme Court to-u«iy» and was sentenced to deaHi. j>i» prisoner, who attempted suicide alter committing the murder, was very weak and shaky. A plea of insanity was set up u» behalf of the accused. Evidence was produced that accused came from a tainted family a;ut was addicted to vicious habits. After quarter of an hour's retir*.ment, the jury returned a veruiit of "Guilty of wilful murder." The accused sprawled over in irons, of the dock, and his hands worke-i convulsively. In reply to a question as to wfce*ther he had anytlung to say why *he sentence of death should not be pronounced, accused said "No!" The usual proclamation precediag the passing of fUe death sentence ■*■*. made by the crier. His Honor then placed the black cap upon his head:, and addressing; the prisoner, said: "You have been am-. victed of murder, as to the ter of which 1 do not propose to comment. All I have to do is to pass on you the only sentence which th* law permits. The sentenco of the Court is that you be taken to th» place of execution!, and there hanged by the neclj; unf.t you are. dead." The prisoner received the sentence in 'silence, and was lifted out of th» dock by two warders. [lt will be remembered that; -.Mr Lilley returned home, after heing absent for several days, and found* bis wife missing. Her body wast found iu a paddock some distance from the house, with her head lw£~ tered in, and a heavy hammer by hex side. The young children in the faultily were in the house by themselves for several days. Biddle, who was % blacksmith, had asked Mrs Lilley t* accompany him to the " house of a neighbour, who, he said, was ill. After committing, the deed he attempted suicide by taking poison, and «•** arrested some days later in an rocaciated condition.] ,