THE KISSELL CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1929, Page 5

THE KISSELL CASE

A DIFFICULT POSITION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 7. In a question in the House of Representatives addressed' to the Minister for Justice (the Hon Mr Wilford), Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) asked why Maxwell Kissell was confined to Waikeria, seeing that he had never been convicted by any Court of law; if it was a fact that his relations had been point-blank refused any information concerning Kissell, and under what law was the Minister acting in the matter? The Minister replied >that Albert Frederick Maxwell Kissell,' having killed a man and having been acquitted on the ground of insanity, was confined at the Waikeria Reformatory in his own interest, and for the safety of society. It was not a fact that his relatives had been point-blank refused any information concerning Kissell. It was not the practice to supply relatives with confidential medical reports regarding inmates. The Minister was acting under the provisions of the Mental Defectives Act in the matter. Making a personal statement later, ...le Minister for Justice (the Hon Mr Wilford) said tnat this was one of the most difficult cases he had ever had - to deal with. He did not despair of the young man, but he was quite satisfied from the official reports on him that it was not in the interests of society or himself that he should be released just now. ' “Unfortunately,” continued Mr Wilford, “the responsibility rests upon me as to whether he should be detained or not. I do not shirk my responsibilities, but at the same time I would like to point out that the Kissell case is one of the most difficult cases I have ever had anything to do with. The medical officers at Waikeria have been studying the case, especially on my behalf, and they say it would be dangerous to release

Kissell. I asked the Prisons Board to investigate the .ease, and they did so, recommending that for the protection of society he should be detained. The Waikeria Reformatory was recommended as the most suitable institution. The Minister added that lie did not think Kissell’s case was a hopeless one, but he was not prepared to roleaso him at the present time. j'