DEATH SENTENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 278, 21 November 1913, Page 4

DEATH SENTENCE.

BIDDLE FOUND GUILTY. FEEBLE-METDED BUT JTOT XRSAIfE. PRISONER COLLAPSES IX COCEL (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The man Alfred Biddle, charged wijji the murder of Mrs Lilley at "ilavfidd last month, came up for trial at the Supreme Court to-day. The facts of the case were not challenged, but a plea of insanity was set up. Hemy 'Biddle, of WeUinsiton, tie. prisoner's father, said that UiJ mothers brother, whom he had known, died h Winson Green Asylum, where he hai been confined for 40 years. His wiie , ! brother poisoned himself in Wellington and died in hospital. He oi no other mental deficiency in the accused's relatives. Ke was one of 11 chfldrea, and was the only one of a dull and quiet disposition. Witness did cot thmk his son was eccentric, sad added that he showed-no need for control Dr Symes said that on Saturday he had examined Biddle, and had done so again yesterday in company with Dr Xewell, gaol surgeon. Biddle was suffering from arsenical poisoning, and must hare taken a good quantity. - I do not consider the accused insane," he said ""In fact, I am sure he is not insane but I consider he belongs to the ckas of what you call the morally feebleminded, and the details of iamifv history which have gone back for three generations tend to show that there i= either paysieal or mental degeneracy on. boti sides of the famiiy."' Dr Symes said he attributed the crime to a combination in the accused of a feeble mind with vicious habits. He thought that at the moment of tit murder the accused was probably imeon. scious of the nature of the act, but that this did not apply to the period oi premediation before the actual blow. After a-quarter of an hour's retirei ment the jury returned a verdict oi [ guilty of wiliul murder. Accused «& lapsed over the front oi tee dock, and til hands worked convulsively. In repiv te a question as to whether he had anjv thing to say why sentence cf diati should not be pronounced, the accusei said "'Xo." The usual proclamation preceding the passing of the death.sentence was made by the crier. His Honor placed the black cap upon his head, and, addressing the prisoner, said: "'You have been convicted of murder, as to the character of which I da not propose to comment. All I have to do is to pass on you the only sentencs t which the law permits. The sentence of the Court is that you be taken to a place of execution and there hanged bj the neck until you are dead." The prisoner received the sentence in eilence, and was lifted out of the dock by two warders and carried from the Court.