Thomas Hall (murderer)

The Halls had a child in June 1886 and soon after, his wife showed signs of a mysterious illness that puzzled her doctor.

After a family friend drank from a cup intended for Kate, rumours in the community spread and the Doctor began to suspect poisoning.

Houston was acquitted, but Hall was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder, and 12 charges of forgery.

Justice Williams sentenced Thomas Hall to death for this second case, but on appeal, the conviction was overturned on a technicality.

In the NZ Dictionary of Biography records that the time and place of Hall's death is unknown,[2] however biographer Peter Graham claims that after his release he left to live in Australia in the seaside town of Yeppoon where he is buried today under the assumed name of Paul Newstead.