MURDER OF GIRL

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1931, Page 2

MURDER OF GIRL

FATE OF G. E. COATS.

EARLY DECISION EXPECTED WELLINGTON, Dec. 9 The fate of George Errol C, a is, who was convicted of tlie murder of RliiM s A\ is Ejmons at Wellington, on November 11 tli, will not he finally decided until the death senten.e pas&e-l on him has been considered by t. e •Goa e: nor-Gener<J. it is understood that the final decision concerning the carrying . out of the sentence, or its commutation to life imprisonment Mill he much within the course of a Guv days. As a result of the appeal against the decision of the Court, the* death sentence was automatically sus] ended, out th. cuse has reverted to i'.s ,crmer position in \icuv of the fact that the sentence was upheld by Ihe Court of Appeal. Coals is therefore under utem e of death, but a coit ii.f pro<e:iure has to he followed before the •rioenre can he ca ried out. In Ihe first instance the papers rc-

etmg to tln> trial are placed before lie ( rbinet. which then makes a re-

commerdatien to the Governor-Gene-ral. However, the final decision rests with hinij and lie may elect to take

..o steps to interfere with the carrying out of the sentence, or he may commute it to life imprisonment.

According to the law, the sheriff must carry out the sentence uitHn seven days of receiving notice that the Governor-General will not interfere.

It is understood that Cabinet has already given consideration to the case, and it is likely that the Govern r. C< rer l will be asked for his decision within a few days’ time.