THE MURDER OF JOHN BELL.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 27 April 1881, Page 2

THE MURDER OF JOHN BELL.

» Tbe inquest upon the body of the murdered man John Bell was concluded in the Court-bouse at mid-night on Monday last. Several former witnesses were re-called and some new evidence was tendered, but the latter was mainly corroborative of what had been previously tendered. Albert Bennett deposed to having beard accused use threats agaiust deceased, and from the nature of a conversation he had with accused on the day preceding the murder, he (witness) felt tbat ' something would happen.' "William Campbell heard prisoner in January last threaten to shoot Bell and Mrs M'Gahey. John M'Gaffin said that in January last he advised M'Gahey to clear out of the district, and not to go interfering with Bell, as if he did go so interfering with Bell, and got into trouble, he (Mr M'Gaffin) would not go bail for bim. Ac« cused then said " When I do interfere with Bell I shall not want you or any* body else to bail me." Witness then said " I presume you nre going to com- ! mit murder, and after what you havo said I will have nothing more to do with you," and informed Sergeant Neville ol the conversation immediately'after. Joseph Smart saw Silcock pick up a ram-rod at Bell's, on Sunday last and identified it as M'Gahey's, having seen it in the latter's possession, a month or so before Christmas. Charles Lyons saw improprieties bes tween Bell and Mrs M'Gahey, and informed M'Gahey, who then said if he thought they were cohabiting, he would blow the pair of them to h— — , if he should hang for it. "' Detective Quinn proved to the arrest of prisoner, as already described, but no admissions were male by prisoner. The latter described wbere he had left his gun and swag and offered to go with the police and point out the spot, but the police had searched the places des<* criled, but could find no trace of either, Alexander King was re-called, but nothing fresh was elicited. He could not identify tbe ram-rod found as the one in prisoner's gun on the day preceding the murder. Alfred Silcock deposed to the finding of the ram-rod at Bell's place on Sunday last. The witness Smart took it in his hand and then threw it down and identified it as having been in M'Gahey s possession some months ago. This closed the evidence, and the Coroner summed up exhaustively. He went through the whole of the evidence carefully, dwelling upon the more salient points. He said that the evidence on the whole would justify the jury in bringing in a verdict of Guilty against the accused. He laid great stress upon tbe circumstance tbat the prisoner had shown no anxiety or disposition to clear himself of the charge against him, and this fact taken with tbe evidence should enj able the jury to arrive at a speedy con« elusion. The finding of the jury is elsewhere re< corded.