TEN YEARS’ GAOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 July 1938, Page 6

TEN YEARS’ GAOL

ARMSTRONG FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER “SANCTITY OF LIFE MUST BE RESPECTED.” COMMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Found guilty of manslaughter, Douglas Alexander Armstrong, aged 21, who was charged with the murder of his father, Edwin Norman Armstrong, at Wellington on May 6, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday. The case lasted nearly three and a half days, 22 witnesses being called for the Crown and six for the defence. When the hearing was resumed at 10.15 o’clock yesterday morning, all that remained was for the judge to sum up. He spoke for one hour 20 minutes. The jury retired at 11.37 o’clock and returned at 2.45 o’clock. The court was crowded as the jury filed into the box. In reply to the registrar, the foreman announced the verdict: Guilty of manslaughter. Armstrong made no reply when asked whether he had anything to say why sentence of the court should not be passed upon him. • His senior counsel, Mr H. F. O’Leary, K.C., briefly addressed the court, asking for a penalty that would enable Armstrong at some future time “to use the talents and ability he undoubtedly possessed.” Addressing the prisoner, his Honour said: “There must be passed upon you a substantial sentence, sufficient to show that the sanctity of human life must still be respected.” When sentence had been pronounced, Armstrong was quickly escorted from the dock.

Mr W. H. Cunningham, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution, and with Mr O’Leary for the defence was Mr D. Foster.