PATIENCE GUILTY
MURDER OF WIFE MERCY RECOMMENDED SENTENCE OF DEATH SPEECH BY PRISONER INNOCENCE PROTESTED (Pur Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Found guilty of murdering his wife at Claverley on October 4, 1938, Arthur John Patience was sentenced to death by Mr. Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon.
The jury added a strong recommendation for mercy, which, His Honour said, would be passed on to the proper quarter.
The jury, which retired at 10.57 yesterday morning, returned at 2.9 p.m.
Patience appeared quite calm, smiling at an acquaintance as he stepped into the dock. Asked if he had anything to say before the sentence of death was passed, he said: “Well, your Honour, I would like to say and pul before both this court and the people of New Zealand that I have been in New Zealand for about 27 years and I have worked hard. Also I have given my services to the last war twice, and also that if I was free I would give my services in this war, and I should like to say there is no man or woman who would say I have caused them injury. I say from my heart and soul I am an innocent man of this crime.” Death Sentence Passed The court crier then made the special demand for silence before the sentence of death was passed. His Honour said: “Patience, you have been convicted, and I am bound to say I think properly convicted, of the crime of murder.” The sentence of death was then passed.
The jurors were thanked for their services and exempted from jury service for the next five years.
To the Crown prosecutor, His Honour said he considered it proper to comment on the debt to the police, who were entitled to the thanks of the community. A great deal of work had been done efficiently and, while it was perhaps invidious to make a distinction, Senior-Sergeant J. Bickerdike, under the direction of his superior officers, had -discharged his duty with commendable efficiency. Constable J. B. Kearton, police photographer in this case as in many 'others, had helped materially in the presentation of evidence by his good work.
The court then adjourned, the spectators hurrying out in the hope of seeing Patience depart.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 1 November 1939, Page 6
Word Count
380PATIENCE GUILTY Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20083, 1 November 1939, Page 6
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