Maungatapu Murders - The Trial

The Trial

The trial started on 12 September and ended on 18 September. The jury found Burgess, Levy, and Kelly guilty of murder and sentenced to death by hanging. Sullivan was given immunity after giving information. A second trial was started on 18 September which tried Sullivan for the murder of James Battle. This was very unusual, Sullivan gave the information which lead to Battle’s murder being discovered. Sullivan was not granted immunity for this separate crime. Sullivan was found guilty of murder and also sentenced to death by hanging. Two weeks later Sullivan’s death sentence was withdrawn to a life sentence of imprisonment.

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