SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2385, 15 February 1915, Page 6

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

THE RUAHINE MURDERER

ROTTMAN FOUND GUILTY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Wanganui, February 13. The Supreme Court was occupied for the third day with tho Rottman trial. Mr. Mackay for the defence asked for a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity, and proceeded on the lines indicated in his opening address, asking the jury to find that tho deed had been committed while accused was suffering from an attack of "manja apotu" induced by alcohol. , He . laid particular stress on the evidence of the medical men on this point. He showed that Rottman had been on exceJlent terms with the M'Canns, spending the previous evening in conviviality with thfim.

The jury retired at 12.48 p.m., and returned at 2.10 p.m. with a verdict of guilty on each count. Rottman received the verdict calmly, and in reply to the usual question said: "I havo only got to say that' 1 have been working for tho M'Cann'g since August, 1914, and since that time wo lia-ve always been on the best of terms together, and have not looked for any argument. I have received the best of treatment, and at any time there could bo no reason, nor did t'hey give me any, for committing the crime. I know, nothing of killing the poor people. Although my country is at_ war with yours, 1 have received a fair trial, and if I have to die like my countrymen who are fighting, I will die with a good heart, and leave it to that great day for our good Father in Heaven to judg;e." His Honour before: passing sentence said he was satisfied that the fact of the German and British nations being at war had nothing to do with the murder or with the course of the trial. Rottman had been found, guilty on the plainest of evidence, and the verdict had been entirely justified. His Honour regretted having to pass sentence of death upon so young a man, but the jury had found him guilty after a careful trial. The sentence would .be considered .by His Majesty's Government,. but he need hardly say there was no hope of reprieve, for not one murder but threo had been committed, with.'full knowledge of the circumstances and of the result. Assuming the black cap, His Honour said:, "You will be taken from hero to the place of execution, and there will be hung by your neck until you are dead." His Honour added, fervently: "May God have mercy on your soiil."

In dismissing the jury, His Honour said he was fully in accord with the verdict. - .