The Eyreton Murder Case.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 187, 10 August 1901, Page 3

The Eyreton Murder Case.

Chiustchuiccu, Aucf. 7. The charge against. Alexander McLean of murdering Mrs, Misi and Master Martin was gone on with at tha Supreme Court this morning. Mr Stringer in opening the oase for the Crown, sai I that theie were two branches of evident, the atrong oirccmstantial evidence, and the accms-.d's own

confession. The only possible defence thai could be offend wan that the prisoner wa3 insane at iho time of the murder. On t'<at point Mr Stringer stated that, sinefl the Rented was arrested he had bet>n under careful observation, and th.it, taken in conj'motion with hi 3 whole conduct from ii.tt to last, gave no ground for puppO'uns that he was not a responr-ible being. That he was of alow ord'-T of humanity mig : >t he admitted, but there was no reason to suppose that h« was insane.

Evidence was tukon on the lines of that given at the inquest and at the Magistrate's Court proceedings. Dr Symes, cross-examined by Mr Joynt counsel for accused, stated that the prisoner's physical condition was such us would render bim liable t,> fits of uncontrollable impulse. Hi wi3 abo liablo to be easily excired. Tl:s mental capacity was fairly and thure was nothing to indicate lhat his faculties wore deranged. The medicil evidence showed that no familiarity with Mis-) M rtin bad taken place. It also showed that accused wa« sine, though liable to uncontrollable impulses.

The jury retired at 2.40 p.m. and returnod at 3."20. p.m. with a verdict of guilty, and made a statement that they did not believe accused's story of improper relations wich Miss M >rt n. The Judga coucorrod with tho verdict, and'he prison* • w>a then sentenced to death. He replied, " Thank you, your H mor."

He was thou removed to Lyttelton Gaol under a-strong escort of police.