THE WELLINGTON CHILD MURDER CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 100, 30 May 1900, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON CHILD MURDER CASE.

ACCUSED SENTENCED TO DEATH. KECOMMKMDATION OF MERCY. [PEC PBES3 ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, May 29, The trial of John Deighton, on « charge of the murder of his infant child, began to-day. On March 9tb, after a quarrel with his wife, to whom ho had only been married two years, ho cut tho b.by'tj throat, thea gavo himself up and confessed tho murder, saying Le was perfectly sano ai>d sober, and, had not his courago fail* d, would have cu> his own throat, too. Mr. Jellicocdefends Deighton, and tho line ol defence taken is that the accused was insane at the time he committed tin. deed. Later. In the Supremo Court this evening, tho charge preferred against John Deighton of murdering his infant daughter was concluded. The jury, after an absonce of an hour, returned a verdict of Guilty, but, through tho foreman, said that undei the painful circumstances of tho cast thoy wished to strongly recommeno the accused to mercy. Deighton, in response to tho registrar as to whether he desired to say anything as to why sentence of death should not be pissed upon him, mad. lio reply, but stared vacantly mount tho Court. The Chief Justice then assumed th« black cup, and pronouueed the sentence of death, and the pii-ioner was removed, apparently unconcerned. His Honour intimated to the jury ihat their recommendation would be forwarded to the proper authorities.