THE HARAPIPI MURDER.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 258, 12 March 1898, Page 2

THE HARAPIPI MURDER.

POHLEN BEFORE THE COURT.

(HI TELEOEAPII.—OWN coeeespondent). Auckland, Last Night. Henrich Pohlkn appeared in the dock at the Supreme Court this morning on the charge of the murder at Harapipi on November 12th last of a settler named Patrick Corcoran.

Mr Tole, Ciown Solicitor, conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr Mahoney appeared for the defence. The prisoner Pohlen said " Not Guilty " when asked to plead. He was allowed on account of his age to take a seat in the dock while the trial was proceeding. Terence Corcoran having given his account of the shooting, was cross-ex-amined by Mr Mahoney. He said deceased and his family had only been in the Harapipi district three years. "Witness was led to believe that Pohlen had had grievances ahout fences, etc., for many years. As far as witness knew, none of deceased's family had ever mocked or taunted Pohlen about hh grievaures. At the time of the shooting deceased was taking up posts that John Pohlen had put down, and was ahout to put others in, because Pohlen had come over on to deceased's boundary line. Henry Zolfel siid lie had conversation with Pohlen last February twelve months and ahout a month later, and on each occasion Pohlen said he would shoot Corcoran. Poh'cn was quarrelling with his neighbours one after the other. He quarrelled with everyone who was there. Constable Jones, the next witness, was asked by the Judge if the accused, when arrested, appeared to have any idea that he had committed a crime. Constable Jones replied, " 1 can't say that he did." The Judge asked, " Did he not appear alarmed as to what would happen to him." Constable Jones answered that he did not seem to think of it ; he did not seem to mind having done it. Mr Mahoney, for the defence, called Mr Marker, a resident of Harapipi ; Dr. Waddington, of Waikato ; Dr. Bakewell and Dr. Walker. Dr. Waddington said he had been acquainted with Pohlen tor the last 35 years, and as far back as 1866 he was of opinion that Pohlen was non compos mentis.

Drs. Walker and Bakewell said Pohlen's state of mind was such that he could not have beeu responsible for the act.

Dr. Bakewell said the accused was suffering from senile decay of the functions and powers of the brain, coupled with monomania on the subject of land boundaries. Accused did not grasp the seriousness of his position. He would sign a csrtificate for the committal of Pohlen to the lunatic asylum. Dr. Philson was called to give rebutting evidence. He said lis would not send accused to the asylum, but to the Costley Home. He thought the accused knew right from wroug. The case is still proceeding, and the Judge will probably not sum up till the morning.