THE DROMORE MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1923, Page 3

THE DROMORE MURDER

JAMIESON INSANE. tuv 'jki.wißai'u—eiji. juiiiss association."] (11 R LSTCI! U RCi 1, CTcTohcr 9. When Thomas Jamieson, the Dromoio miirdoior. came up for trial, Ll l, . Gland Jury returned a true bill after hearing the directions of Judge Sim. Jamieson wik helped into tlie box before tli<. common jury was empanelled However the judge allowed counsel for tlie defence to call evidence in support of tlie con tent ion that Jamieson was incapable of pleading.

Dr. Gould evidenced that Jamieson was an idiot. This being accepted as prime facie evidence oil the subject the jury was then empanelled to try the question of prisoner’;, rupneity to plead.

Evidence was then given by Dr Gould and also by senior Detective Gibson, who said that Jamieson was quiU

a hopeless idiot. The chief warder of .I’npurun Prison, speaking from three weeks observation, said that Jamieson was a hopeless idiot. Only yesterday he had turn up his mat i l ess. This morning when told he iv;i, going lor a rule he laughed ami , lapia-d hands 'mi on arriving at the tOuit he tore up hi- .shirt, and enmlacnt'ed to cry. • Tl:e Judge s;;iu it was ilea Jamieson was incapable or nwrimg. The jury without retiring found Jamieson insane and incapable ol pleading. r Tito Judge directed that the liudiug be recorded ill accordance with the Men tal Defectives Art. and Jamieson wii'. be confined at the plcasute ol ilie Mi', isler of the Crown.