THE CAFFREY CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1929, Page 5

THE CAFFREY CASE

ACCUSED GETS 12 YEARS’ HARD LAHOjp.

(By Telegraph—Per Press; Association.) a y iiA AUCKLANtY,- November 8.

Twelve years’ imprisonment, with hard labour, was imposed on George Caffrey, aged 34, .. the . quai’ter-casb negro, on the charge of manslaughter of Thomas--Leavey. When Justice Smith pPohouriced sentence in tlie Supreme'-Gourt,’, Caffrey was apparently unmoved,! bufehis ,-wife was removed sobbing bitterly. His Honour said: “ The jury has found you guilty of manslaughter with a strong recommendation to mercy. The reasonable inference from that was that someone else was there. "Who that person was is riot foiKiile or any judicial person to say at the present time, but it is crystal-dear tjhat Lepvey would not have been foully" done ..to death in his own house but for you. >■

“If another man was there and.had anything to do with the stabbing it was dear that you took- him there following your bent to assault actually with violence and if H6t to kill. It can scarcely be said Leavey gave you any provocation, at all, and I think both the Crown Prosecutor arid myself went to the frill length we ought to, have gone in suggesting to the jury rt verdict ;of ipanslaughter. 1 will, hdwever, take the jury’s view that you did not actually do the stabbing. But-1 must take into account that but' for you and your violent attitude, no crime would have been committed in the 1 circumstances and in view of; your ( previous record I can do no other, in view of the jury’s recommendation to mercy, thap .impose a'substantial tern Jof. The sentence of the’ Court is '( that you be sentenced to .hard labour (for'a period of twelve years.’’, y