PECULIAR MURDER CASE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 134, 27 August 1927, Page 12

PECULIAR MURDER CASE

INTRICACIES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW An unprecedented case was heard at the Old Bailey recently. The circumstances were these: A British steamer, King Bleddyn, was on a voyage to Genoa, when a galley boy, a Dane named Frederiksen, ran amok while in drink. He attacked the third engineer, Benjamin Burgess, with a knife, and also stabbed George Blagg, who went to Burgess’s assistance. Burgess was put ashore at Las Palmas, where he died; Blagg recovered. Recently Frederiksen was put on trial on a charge of attempted murder only. When Mr. Justice Swift expressed surprise counsel said that the reason why Frederiksen was not charged with murder was because, although Burgess was stabbed on an English ship, he died on Spanish territory. His Lordship: Have you ever before known of a man being tried for attempted murder when, in fact, the victim has died? Prosecuting Counsel: It is not within my experience. Suppose the Spanish authorities sought to extradite him for murder?— They could, of course, apply for his extradition. Mr. Justice Swift said he did not think it desirable to try the man for attempted murder when some other country might desire to prosecute him for murder. The trial then proceeded for the attempted murder of Blagg only. Frederiksen was found not guilty of ‘ attempted murder, but guilty of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and was sentenced to seven years’ penal servitude.