WAS HE FAVORED?

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1922, Page 5

WAS HE FAVORED?

REPRIEVE OF A MURDERER SON OF TITLED LADY. By Telegraph-—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, June 8. True, who was sentenced to death in connection with the murder of a young woman in a London flat, has been granted a reprieve following a medical inquiry. He has been sent to the Broadmoor Asylum. Received June 11, 5.5 p.m. London, June 10. Newspapers angrily comment on the reprieve of True after Jacoby was hanged for the murder of Lady White in a London hotel, though the jury recommended him to mercy. Letters are pouring into the newspaper offices protesting that Jacoby was a poor, friendless lad, while True was the son of a rich, titled and influential mother, whose name has not been disclosed, and he becomes the guest of the nation at Broadmoor, where he will be allowed to play cricket and billiards. Letters also point out that no money was spared on True’s defence, and the questioa of sanity, according to the legal definition, was fully argued at the trial. The Daily Express states the error of judgment made by Mr. E. Shortt, K.C. (Home Secretary) in reprieving True renders him unfit to be Home Secretary. The paper adds that crimes of violence are increasing to a terrifying extent, and society is entitled to be safeguarded. The Daily Chronicle, defending Mr. Shortt, suggests True’s insanity developed since the death sentence was passed. The paper declares Mr. Shortt had no other alternative than to appoint a committee of medical experts to examine True. They inquired not whether True was legally insane when he committed the crime, but whether he is now medically insane.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.