GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2847, 17 February 1925, Page 3

GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER.

—+ STMPKTN BEFORE THE COURT. Auckland, February 13. “Manslaughter” was (lie verdict returned by the jury after one hour and forty minutes’ retirement in the case of James Simpkin, charged with murdering his wife by ouliiiii; - her throat with a razor. Sentence was deferred until Monday.

The plea put forward for prisoner by his counsel (Mr Finlay) was that Simpkin at the time of (he tragedy was suffering from petit me! and was incapable of knowing I lie quality and nature of his act. The Crown repudiated this. N The judge, summing up, said: “On cue hand you have the evidence of ■friends and of doctors which points to accused being eccentric. If you come to the conclusion that accused was suffering at the time from a. disease of the mind and was incapable of knowing the quality and nature of his act, then you will acquit, him, but if you think the Crown has satisfied you that this man was not suffering from a malady and that he did know right from wrong, then no matter how sinful it. he, it is your duty to bring in a verdict of guilty.” The jury, after the retirement repored (.o, returned with a verdict of “manslaughter.” The prisoner nodded his thanks to the jury as he left the dock. IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE. Auckland, Last Night. Janies Simpkin, who was found guilty on Saturday, of manslaughter, in respect to the death of his wife, was sentenced to-day bv Mr Justice Ilerdman to imprisonment for life. His Honour said the jury very properly rejected the defence set up, founded upon disease of mind, and took up the merciful view that what Simpkin did was done in the heat, of passion caused by sudden provocation. “I don’t propose to add to your difficulties,” added His Honour, “by making any comment upon your action, or upon the case. Only one punishment is possible for such a crime as you have committed. You will be imprisoned with hard labour for life.”