SENTENCED TO DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 243, 19 November 1909, Page 3

SENTENCED TO DEATH

THE CHMSTOHUBCH MllßUliit, ' KOBKRTS FOUND GUILTY. crUKY'S STRONG RECOMMJSNUATION v TO MERC 4.. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Ni ;';t. The trial of Artliur Jolm WiVion Kc liertSi for the murder of Alice E.litli Newman was continued in the Supreme Court to-day before .Mr. Justice Denniston. The taking of the evidjice aad been finished the previous flight, and it only remained for the jury to hear counsels' addresses and his Honor's a mn.iiiig op. The only addition to the 'ise »as the putting in of some letters from Roberts, which had been found >r a belonging to Miss Newman l.engthy addresses were given by counsel, and His Honor commenced to sum iij. :<I 11.10 a.m. There was, hj« Mid, tvi.lewc

that Roberts was ; ;i 'ove the g.rl Bnd if the suggest:,! motive wis Dr disappointed t.heTe was "!<a! evidence of its ex: »jn;e. C'ouisi.l lor defence had adopt):i the unusual !ut perfectly proper, course of oatenim; that prisoner did not commit !ne ci':n>. end then that if lie did it, b? wa? n.'i'ially irresponsible. The questions the jury would have to consider were: (1) Did prisoner kill Alice Newman? (2) Is it proved to you that he was at the time laboring under a disease of the mind to such an extent as to render him incapable of understanding the nature of and quality of the act and knowing that such act was wrong? Under the law every person charged with crime was considered to be sane at the time of the commission of the act until the contrary was proved. Insanity, as generally understood, was a very wide term. Many writers held that all criminals Rrere more or less insane; but in a court

Df justice, when they talked of insanity they spoke of a well-defined condition. It seemed to be -plain that witness was 6ne of those unfortunates who were deBcribed as degenerates. That, however, was not a sufficient defence. The mere {act that his moral and mental conditions were inherited conditions or caused by his own habits' was not sufficient, and that was not the position taken by the medical witnesses. In conclusion, bis Honor said it was quite within the power of a jury, if they were not satisfied with the second issue, to make any Observation as to the character of the man's mind and conduct. It could sot, Df course, affect him (his Honor), as bis duty would be clear, and he could Dot say that it would affect those who ■night have to consider the matter. The jury retired to consider their vi diet at 12.28. At V.ii p.m. the jury filed into the court, their serious facs giving a clue to their verdict. The prisoner and his guards took up their positions in the dock, and his Honor then resumed his seat oil the bench Amid a dead silence the registrar as'k«d if the jury agreea, and received the reply that the agreement had be»ncome to. The foreman handed in written replies to the issues which had bail suited by his Honor. The answer to .he first issue was " Yes," and to the tccOnd " No." His Honor:. You therefore find a verdict of "Guilty"? The foreman; That is so. There is a rider attached to the verdht. Tiis jury desires to make a very strong rceiunmendation to mercy. The evidence Shows that prisoner is not in possession of his normal mental or physical Unities, and there is very grave doubt as to whether he is capable of understanding the nature and quality of the act ft that it was grong. His Honori. You went on my du°cl.on

that insanity must be ocovcd? The foreman: Yes. ' In reply to the Registrar tin prisoner said he was 21 years of age. "Have you anything to Bay why sentence should not be .passed on you according to law!" he wa> nskud, out i.o 1 reply was made. Addressing the prisoner his Honor eaid: "Arthur John Wi'.un Roberts, you have been convicted of <M cr.me of murder. The recommcniiition to mercy which the jurv havj nrai;i in i will be forwarded to the proper quarter. My duty is simply to pronounce on you the only sentence which the law allows yon." .

His Honor then assumed the black cap and said: " The sentence of the court is that you, Arthur John Wilson Roberts, be taken to a place of execution and hanged by the neck till you are dead." Beyond a twitching of his mouth and the unnatural brightness of his eyes, Hie condemned man gave no sign of emotion. He was escorted from the court and courtroom by gaol officials. His Honor thanked the jury for their services They had paid great attention and care to the discharge of a very painful duty.