A MURDERERS RIGHTS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2786, 5 May 1911, Page 2

A MURDERERS RIGHTS.

HIS VICTIM'S PROPERTY

ECHO OF THE CASH CASE

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, May 4,

An important case involving the question of whether a murderer should gain by his own act came before the Supreme Court to-day. The action was brought by the Public Trustee in administration of the estate ot Charlotte Cash, late ot Helensviile, Auckland, Last December Mrs Cash was murdered by her husband, who was tried at Auckland, found guilty of wilful murder, and sentenced to death, sentence being sub-

sequently commuted to imprisonment for life.

Mrs Cash died intastate, and administration of her estate was granted to the Public Trustee. She left no issue,

and under ordinary circumstances her estate 'vould have gone to her husband. The question which now arose was whether the policy of law would allow any benefit to accrue to a criminal by his own act; in other words, should the murderer inherit his victim's property ?

Three cases were mentioned by counsel lor the Public Trustee in his argu-

ment, namely Fauntleroy's case in 1825, Mrs Maybrick's case in 1890, and Nora Crippen's case in March last. Mr justice Chapman reserved his decision.