DEATH SENTENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 7

DEATH SENTENCE.

WOMAN MURDERER,

Poignant Drama Enacted in

Old Bailey.

STAY OP EXECUTION.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

LONDON, January IS

The Old Bailey, -which has been the scene of many dramas, provided yet another one yesterday.

Mr. Justice Charles sentenced to death Mrs. Olive Wise, aged 37, who in a, fit of desperation placed the head of her nine-months-old son in a gas oven on Christmas Eve, because she could not bear the thought of a .foodlcss Christmas. The story told in Court was very similar to many others. The accused woman was separated from her husband and was living with her two children in the care of another man who had deserted her.

Accused wept throughout the trial and repeatedly cried: "I did not mean to kill him."

Immediately after he had parsed sentence the judge ordered the doors of the Court to be closed and no one was allowed to leave. He then empanelled a jury of matrons whereupon a doctor gave evidence that the accused was about to become a mother. The jury brought in a verdict accordingly and tho judge ordered a stay of execution of the capital sentence.

The woman was carried from the dock in a state of collapse.

Strong Protests.

A member of the House of Commons, Mr. V. McEntee (Lab., Walthanistow) has made a strong representation to Mr. J. R. Clynes, Home Secretary, demand ing the immediate reprivo of Mrs. Wise. He expressed the opinion that trials of women in her condition ought to be postponed in order to avoid mental anguish before accouchement.

The' National Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, says that no sane person could defend the death senten6e in such cases.

The "Daily Express" understands that legislation will shortly be introduced amending the law relating to the trials of expectant mothers.