MURDER CASES

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1779, 9 June 1906, Page 2

MURDER CASES

PALMERSTON NORTH SENSATIONS

A WOMAN’S SURPRISE—A PRI SONER SINGS FROM DOCK.

Par Praia Association.

Palmerston North, last night. At the Supreme Court to-day Maria Harris, guilty of manslaughter of Murfitt, horse trainer, was sentenoed to five years. His Honor, addressing prisoner, said that prisoner was liable to imprisonment for life, aDd he did not know that for a person who took another’s life that was too severe punishment. The Probation Officer showed that prisoner had been subjeoted to brutality by deceased, and that her mind may have been effected, though ebe was not mid. At ths time she committed tbs offence she bad reoeived provocation, and the deed was done suddenly, So the sentence would not be an encouragement

to make human life less sacred than it should be in every community. Prisoner collapsed absolutely on hearing the sentence, falling against the back of the dock, from which ebe was removed in an inert state by warders. The sentence appeared to bs quite unexpected by prisoner, and her lamentations could be heard until Bbe was removed from ths preoincts of the Court.

The jury, after an hour’s retirement, found Wm. Knowles, laborer, guilty of the murder of his w fe, with a strong recommendation to mercy owing to the abnormal etato of his mind.

Prisoner made a long, rambling statement, accusing Mrs Knowles of im morality, and finishing up by singiDg some verses from Iho dock.

Witnesses were called to show that prisoner had suffered from insomnia, and w s always worryiog over bis domestic grievanocF. When sentenced, he said he was prrpa'cd to meet fa's fate. •