MANSLAUGHTER OF INFANT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 118, 18 May 1920, Page 2

MANSLAUGHTER OF INFANT.

THE WHANGAREI CASE. MOTHER TREATED LENIENTLY. The young woman. Hilda Holden, who was tried some time ago on a charge of manslaughter at Whanfarei. following the death of her newly-born infant, appeared before Mr. Justice Chapman at the Supreme Court this afternoon for sentence. The finding of the jury which tried the. girl was the subject of recent Appeal Court proceedings to determine the effect of the verdict. The jury stated that the child's death was caused by the mother "when she was not in a mental condition to realise the effect of her act." The Court of Appeal decided that this was a verdict of manslaughter, because there was no linding that the accused did not know the nature and quality of her act. Mr. Moody, lor the accused, put in an earnest plea for mercy, and reminded his Honor that the girl was not attended by anyone at the birth of the child. Apart from this offence she had borne a good character, and all who had dealt with her since her trouble spoke well of her. A married brother and his wife were prepared to take her into their home and care for her if she were released. Hon. .1. A. Tolc. K.C., for the Crown, concurred with Mr. Moody's statement of the facts. In answer to the judge, Mr. Moody said that it was true that the girl had made one attempt at suicide, but since then her demeanour had improved, and if she were leniently treated there was no reason to think "that she would again attempt her life. His Honor, after questioning the accused's brother, told the girl that he was convinced that her act was not. deliberate, but was due to the stat- of H stress in vl'ich she was at th> time. Hf ordered lioi tr come up for sentence when called upon, provided that sbe went to live with her brother.