CARTMAN GUILTY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 6

CARTMAN GUILTY

WAIKINO MURDER SENTENCE OF DEATH AGREEMENT WITH VERDICT (By Telegraph.—Press Association! AUCKLAND, Friday Sentence of death was passed by Mr Justice Fair in the Supreme Court this afternoon after the jury had found Douglas Herbert Cartman, aged 22, mine trucker, of Waihi, guilty of murder of Mrs Elizabeth Agnes Hamilton at Waikino on April 2. The jury retired at noon to consider its verdict and returned at 3.20 p.m. His Honour’s address to the jury occupied an hour and ten minutes. A large attendance of the public, including about 20 in the women's gallery, awaited the return of the jury. Feelings Not Shown Asked if he ,had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, accused made as if to speak, but did not do so, and he gave no sign of his feelings as he was removed to the cells after sentence had been passed. His Honour thanked members of the jury for the very careful attention they had given to this very painful trial. He thought he should say he found himself in agreement with the verdict, which he thought the evidence conclusively justified. They would be excused from jury service until after the end of next year. His Honour expressed his appreciation of the keen work done by the police and their exhaustive inquiries that led to the evidence being presented with nothing overlooked or omitted. He thanked counsel on both sides also for the very able and satisfactory manner in which they had presented their case. Mr Meredith needed no tribute from the Bench, His Honour continued. He always presented the evidence fully and fairly and in such a clear manner as to be of great assistance. Mr Henry and Mr McCarthy had done everything that was possible in seeing that every aspect of the case was considered, and they had done it in the best traditions of the profession.