CONNOLLY PERJURY CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2309, 30 September 1908, Page 2

CONNOLLY PERJURY CASE.

THE TRIAL CONCLUDED. A SENTENCE OF -SI-WEN YEARS PRISONER’S STARTLING CONFESSION.

[Press Association.]

HOKITIKA, Sept. 29.

In ihe Westport perjury case against William Connolly, Mr. Justice Cooper occupied 5J hours in summing up. The issue was practkariy whether Hallman and Anderson, convicted at Nelson of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, has been wrongfully convicted, and the present prosecution had been brought to test this. His Honor summed up most pronouncedly in accused’s favor, holding that although Connelly stood convicted from liis own admissions ,no corroborative reliable evidence had been adduced as required by the statute. The caso occupied eight days, and tho jury have been locked up lor nine days. After a retirement of four hours the jury brought in a verdict of guilty on eight counts of the indictment, and not guilty on a last unimportant count. Mr. Hanan, for the defence, asked leave to more for a fresh trial on the ground that tho verdict was against the weight of evidence. His Honor, while reserving leave to move for a fresh trial, said he did not think the application would be granted, as he was satisfied the jury had given the most careful consideration to tho whole case.

The prisoner was sentenced to seven years’ hard labor.

It is a uthontically reported that the prisoner, after being taken back to liis cell, confessed that lie alone murdered Bourko.