NEW LYNN MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 4

NEW LYNN MURDER

NORGROVE EXAMINED BY EXPERTS.

PETITION PRESENTED TO C O V ERNOR-G EN ERA L.

AUCKLAND, May 29

Allan George Norgrove, who is uuler sentence of death for the murder if his sister-in-law, Mrs Ernestine Mary Norgrove, at New Lynn, on March 7th, was again examined this morning in his cell at Mount Eden Prison.

Yesterday Dr T. G. Gray, Inspec-tor-General of Mental Hospitals, and Or A. 0. McKillop. Medical Superintendent of the Government Mental Hospital, at Sunnysidc, Christchurch, arrived in Auckland from Wellington for the purpose of examining the murderer. This examination was performed by the two Government alienists at the prison this morning. Or R. M. Beattie, another alienist and an expert. who was for some years Medical Superintendent at the Auckland Mental Hospital, and who stated in evidence at Noi'grovc’s trial that he was insane at the time of the murder, was also in attendance, and took part in this further examination.

It is understood that Drs Gray and McKillop had been requested to put Norgrove under a thorough examination. and also, if necessary, to examine him further on any point which may he raised by Dr Beattie. it will thus be seen that the authorities ire desirous of following any legitimate clue which may be deemed to have a hearing on the sanity of the condemned man.

This morning at Government House. ID Alan Moody, counsel for Norgrove, presented to the Governor-General, Sir Charles pergusson. a petition praying for Norgrovo's reprieve. The petition will he forwarded to Wellington this evening to be considered by the- Executive Council. '1 he' petition was signed by 17 , )5 citizens of Auckland. The signatories include several members of Parliament of the various Parties, a number of doc-tors, school teachers, ministers of religion, and nurses, while nearly every trade is largely represented. Most- of the warders at Mount Eden Prison attached their signatures to the document. The following are extracts from the petition :

“Your petitioners have followed the course* of the trial of Allan George Norgrove, who was found guilty ol murder. Your petitioners have grave doubts that the jury fully appreciated the weight of evidence of Or Beattie, one of the' witnesses for the delenco, and who is recognised as one of the leading alienists in New Zealand, in respect of niisoners mental condition, particularly in view of the fact that Dr Beattie’s evidence and diagnosis were confirmed in tho material points by at least two of the Crown experts. “That Dr Prins, cine of the Crown w’nesses, admitted that Norgrove was abnormal, thus corroborating tho general evidence called for the defence, and in particular the evidence of Drs lleattie and .lames Moir. “That wo are of opinion that the admission made by Dr Hayes in crossexamination clearly showed that prisoner was, if not a dementia praecox subject, at least a type of deinential praecox subject.

“That tho medical witnesses called as experts for the* Crown, on their own admissions, saw Norgrove* only twice and this many weeks after tho tragedy. Dr llayes himself admitted that Dr Beattie ought to have been able to make a more accurate diagnosis than he.

“That we feel that where the question is one of insanity and that there is a possibility of experts for the Crown being” mistaken in their dingnossi, il would he just and proper that the lull sentence of the law should he commuted.

"lii praying lor your Excellency's intervention and that your Excellency's advisers will lie pleased to commute tlio sentence, we feel conndent that the public anxiety -will be relieved, and lb.it the end', of justice will be fully inn. Wo understand that Section -11 V of the Crimes Act, 1008, provides that if your Excellency and advisers entertain a doubt whether, accused ought to have been convicted, you may. instead of commuting the sentence, direct a new trial."