MURDERED OFFICER

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 95, 13 July 1927, Page 13

MURDERED OFFICER

REPRIEVE FOR ASSASSIN GIBRALTAR”EPISODE Reed. 9.35 a.m. By Cable. — Press Association. —Copyright GIBRALTAR, Tuesday. Lieutenant Duffield, who was fo.und guilty of murdering Colonel J. Fitzgerald fcy shooting him and was sentenced to death, has been granted a reprieve and has been sentenced to penal servitude for life.—A. and N.Z. Colonel Fitzgerald, commanding the second battalion of the East Surreys at Gibraltar, paid his usual afternoon visit to the orderly-room on April 8, accompanied by his adjutant. On leaving the latter noticed Lieutenant Duffield and asked him why he was there. Duffield said he wished to see the colonel. * The adjutant obtained permission and Duffield entered. Presently shots were heard and it was found the colonel had been shot in the head. He said: “He shot me; arrest h m.” The colonel soon died. Duffield admitted his guilt. He was arrested and placed in a mental ward. Duffield was said to be suffering from delusions. The officers said there was no ill-feeling between the men, and Colonel Fitzgerald had complimented Duffield on his good work. At the trial the jury rejected a plea of insanity, but recommended accused to mercy. Duffield was sentenced to be hanged.