ELSIE HOLLAND’S DEATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1078, 5 December 1911, Page 4

ELSIE HOLLAND’S DEATH.

MRS. O'SHAUGHNESSY SENTENCED.

OTHER TWO WOMEN GET TWELVE MONTHS EACH.

Auckland, Dec. 3

The charges, including alternative counts of being accessories after the fact of fnurder, and of conspiring to defeat the ends of justice, preferred against Edward James O’Shaughuessy, Mary Hassell, and Charlotte Campbell, were concluded at the Auckland Supreme Court yesterday afternoon.

The jury retired at 11.20 a.m., and returned at 3.45 p.m. with a verdict of “not guilty” against O’Shaughnessy and verdicts ol “ guilty ” against the two females accused on only the count charging them with “conspiring to prevent, pervert, obstruct, and defeat the ends of justice.” O’Sbaughuessy was discharged, and the other two accused received twelve mouths imprisonment each. MRS. O’SUAUGIINESSY’S CASK. Martha Jane O’Shaughnessy was next called on, and she took her place in the dock perceptibly anxious and careworn. Mr Singer referred to the application for leave to appeal, but his Honour replied that he would not deal with the matter them “ I will deal with it at the proper time,” he said.

Mr Singer drew attention to the recommendation to mercy b.ought in by the jury. He said the recommendation was made on account ol the suspense and anguish that prisoner must have undergone during the last five mouths. During that period she had been in gaol awaiting trial on a charge of murder, and the suspense, anguish and suffering must have been as severe a punishment as any woman could undergo. She was 48 years of age, and in a delicate state of health, and her condition was now serious. He asked his Honour to extend what leniency the law would allow. His Honour remarked that it was his very painful duty to impose a very heavy sentence upon the prisoner, but he could say with confidence that, had it not been for the recommendation ol the jury, the sentence would have been very much heavier. The case was one in which there was no occasion to mince matters. The evidence that had been adduced as to the character ol the house, and the evidence derivable from the letters tound in the shop, satisfied him the prisoner had been —for he did not know how long —a prolessioual abortionist, an habitual abortionist.

“ Now, in this case,” he continued, “a human lile has perished through your criminal act. The jury have taken a lenient view ot the circumstances. They would have beeu justified in finding a verdict against you on the charge ut murder, but I have no doubt

they have taken a safer course in finding you guilty of manslaughter. The death has not resulted from negligence in the grossest form, but it is an act of manslaughter, done when you were committing a crime for gain. I have in this Court shown leniency to a member of a family who committed a crime of this sort for chanty’s sake, but I can only regard you as a sordid creatuie, capable of performing a criminal act lor gain.” His Honour added that he was willing to give what he considered the utmost weight to the recommendation to mercy. A sentence of seven years’ imprisonment was inflicted. The prisoner walked steadily to the stairway and disappeared down the steps without showing that she was much affected. AI’I’EAL MENTIONED. Mr Singer again mentioned the matter of points raised for appeal, and his Honour intimated that if he found there was any doubt or point arguable, he would adopt the usual course ot stating a case for the Appeal Court, and counsel would receive notice in due course.

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