On 16 May 1851, police stationed on Yorke Peninsula went to the site where William Bagnall had reportedly been killed. His head was smashed in and his body was found ripped open from the throat to the lower ribs. One of Bagnall’s kidneys had been taken. Marippa stated in court that he had beaten Bagnall because he had taken Marippa’s wife. The accused were found guilty of manslaughter and given light sentences.
(See 'The South Australian Frontier and its Legacies' for more details.)