SUPREME COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 198, 21 August 1874, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

[Before his Honor Mr. Justicb Richmond.] CRIMINAL SITTINGS. YESTERDAY. Reyina v. Boseley. Hia Honor commenced to sum up at a quarter past three, and concluded at a quarter to six, when tbe jury retired, and, after abont an hour's absence, returned a verdict of Guilty of Manslaughter, to which they added tbe following rider:—" That the authorities, knowing the life that the prisoner and hia wife were leading, should have refused him a license to eell drink.'' The prisoner after being called upon to state why sentence should not be pasaed on him, said "I am quite innocent; I know nothing at all about it." His Honor, in passing sentence, said, It is impossible for me to credit your statement, and. oould I even believe it, it would be unsmiling now. Newman Boseley, you have bad a narrow escape from extreme peril. Tbe jury has taken a lenient, perhaps a too lenient, view of your case. It must be plain to all who have heard the evidence that you were the cause of the injuries which brought about tbe deash o.f your wife; Your sentence would have been a severer one, but that it is proper that I should (ake into consideration your advanced years, and the fact tbat society is oot likely to have anythiog further to dread from you after the terrible warning you must now have received. The sentence of tfye Court is thafyou be kept in penal servitude within the colony of New Zealand for tho term of fifteen years.