MANSLAUGHTER VERDICT

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1946, Page 5

MANSLAUGHTER VERDICT

— Press Association

JUDGE COPrlMENDS WORK OF POLICE

By Telegraph-

NELSON, July 25.. In the trial of Patriek Wilfred Hardy, aged 1.3, on a charge of niurdering Aliss Rangi Tai Otimi at Nelson on .June 20, tlie jury returned with a verdict of guilty of manslaughter witli a recommendation for mercy. His Ilonour thanked the jury for their services and said the recommendation, which he understood to be on account of the youth of aceused, would be given fullest weight. Accused was remanded for sentence later. Before the court adjourned his Honour said he wished to express on behalf of the eommunity and court, appreciation of the thorough, fair and able way in which the circuinstances of the case had been invest.igat.ed. The Judgc-paid tribute to Constable P. J. Magee who, by liis observation when he had no reason to suspdet what was to happen, noted so well a person he met that he retained it in liis memory so that he could give a description later. The Dominion had reason to be proud of the reputation of its police for fairness and efiiciency which, he thought, was unexcelled. The country had reason to be proud of them. There were other ofticers who had shown the same thoroughness in the investigations, the greater part of which fell on Deteetive Sergt. J. .T. Murray. As long as offences were investigated so 'promptly and efficiently and conducted so fair ly, New Zealand would maintain its reputation for a low incidence of erime.