THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 600, 23 November 1909, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH MURDER.

Arthur Roberts, now lying under sentence of death in Lyttelton Gaol, at first showed little signs of realisation of the seriousness of his position. He stated that someone about the Court, who, he thinks, was in a position to know, told him as he left the Court that he was certain of a reprieve with commutation of his sentence, if not of a pardon ; and buoyed up with this he was at first nonchalant. But (says a Christchurch correspondent), Mr Smail, our excellent missioner, saw him, and urged upon him the great mistake which he might make if he trusted to such an idea. The earnest remarks of the missioner had weight, and, whereas at first he refused to see any clergyman, he has since shown an anxiety as to the future. He is a Presbyterian, and Mr Beath, the Presbyterian clergyman in Lyttelton, bad not seen him at time of writing, but intended to do so on Sunday, and Roberts shows a disposition to see him. In the meantime, his appetite is good, and he sleeps soundly. According to the regulations, he receives the ordinary gaol fare, with such additions as the gaol surgeon may prescribe. At present those additions are butter and milk. He is never left alone, a warder being always with him night and day.

PETITION BEING PREPARED.

Christchurch, Nov. 22

Steps are being taken to petition his Excellency the Governor to commute the sentence of death passed ou Arthur J. W. Roberts at the recent criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in this city for the murder of Alice Edith Newman.

Mr W. J. Hunter, who defended Roberts when he was on his trial, states that he is at present preparing the petition to the Governor praying him to exercise his prerogative of mercy and to commute the sentence passed upon him. Mr Hunter is of opinion that the exercise of the prerogative of mercy would be clearly in accordance with the recommendation of the jury in the case. The onus had been on the defence to prove that Roberts was insane, according to the legal definition of insanity —■ a definition that Mr Hunter thinks is somewhat exacting. The jury held that the defence had failed to show that accused was not legally sane, but at the same time they had doubts on the point. Mr Hunter thinks it possible that the Government might order that Roberts be further examined as to his sanity. The petition is to be ready for signature to morrow morning, and will simply pray that his Excellency should exercise bis prerogative of mercy, and commute Roberts’ sentence, but would leave the question as to what his sentence should be to his Excellency and his advisors. To-day, several people who were desirous of signing the petition called on Mr Hunter.