THE KAIWARRA MURDER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3257, 16 July 1889, Page 2

THE KAIWARRA MURDER.

OHEMIS

Wellington, Tuesday. His Honour continuing his sumaim; up said the principal evidence against tho prisoner is this—ln the wound is found by Dr Cahill several pieces of paper, admittedly portions of the Evening Post of the 23rd of May. It was inferred from that the man who shot Hawkings must have useiU piece ot the Evening Post of that issue. Now these pieces were identified with pieces found on the ground—there was nothing very extrordinary in this—and did not bring tho matter home in anyway to the prisoner, But it is said that pieces of paper wero found in his house, which was equal . to his possession, which fitted with those found on the ground, and they could infer from that that the pieces in the wound, .and those in the house must be portions of the same paper. He referred to the state of the gun and the evidence of the gunsmiths and the finding of the stiletto which the doctor said had fitted in Bize and length with the wounds. There was the fact that the shot in the pouch was mixed, while those in the wound were No 4. It would be for them to say whether this circumstance and that circumstance of there being no powder nor caps foiind was in the prisoner's favor or otherwise, or whether it was ono of those circumstances thai was consistent with either • guilt or innocense. They would have to consider whether these were' circumstances which, in the absence of explanation lends strength to such a case made out by the Crown.

The Jury retired and returned at 5.10 p.m. with a verdict of guilty. His Honor having put ou the black cap, the Registrar said:—Louis Chemis, you have been found guilty of murder. Have you anything to say why the sentence of the law should not he passed upon you ? Tho prisoner in a loud clear voice then addressed his Honor as follows: —" Yes, I would like to say a few words, i reckon tho . detectives 1 treated mo too bad. They say they never found any powder flask in ray place, It was right alongside the pouch with the shot, and with one hand they could have picked up both, They say they never saw any quail, There were three or four in a tin. Detective Benjamin was near to them himself. I can prove by the blacksmith at Kaiwarra that I got a wad punch from him, I can get the same man to prove that I brought him the wad punch since the Ist April, I'Jnever use paper at •all in my gun. I hope your Honor will see to-morrow whether I am telling a lie or telling the truth, About theso bullets, James Gibson gave them to me last winter when I took over this place from Hawkings. He gave me about ten of them to shoot pigs. The bullets were no good. Tl)ey were too small for my gun, I hope your Honor will prove this by calling James Gibson tomorrow morning, The detectives say they never saw any wad punch—it was right alongside the pouch, I reckon they treated me too bad, I am willing to die now or any time. I will go oh the' scaffold.to-morrow morning. I am innocent of this crime. lam sorry for my wife and little children; for myself I care nothing,

His Honor, who was deeply affected, bis voice being tremulous with emotion, anil scarcely audible addressing the prisoner at the bar said:—l don't foel it necessary to say more than this: that the few words you have uttered with regard to the police will go far to confirm in the minds of most people the fact of your guilt, I don't believe the police officers would conspire in your death. It is not for me to express my opinion of concurrence in the verdict which the jury,'after a most patient hearing have returned, Tlie prosecution has boon most careful, and, as I beliovo, moat fair, The dofonco has been most abble, and no point which, could be made in your favor has been lost. The sentence of the Court is that you be taken hence to the place whenco you came, and there be hanged by the neck until you be dead. Remove the prisoner. Tho prisoner: Think you, your HoricV' Ohemis was then removed and tho jury were then discharged.—Times,

The jury returned. a verdict of guilty in the Kaiwarra murder case, after some hours absence, and Chemis after protesting his innocence was condemned to death. Tho verdict created much surprise, tlie general impression shared oven by police being that he would be acquitted or that attiio most the jury would disagree, The prisqiipr djd not loso his self control to the last.