THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7382, 7 August 1889, Page 3

THE MURDER OF CONSTABLE SUTHERLAND.

SYDNEY, July 22. At the Central Criminal Court on Friday, before the Chief Justice, James Morrison was placed on his trial, charged with the murder of Police Constable David Sutherland on the 3rd June last. Considerable curiosity was evinced in the case by the public, the Court being crowded during the day. Constable Sutherland whilst on duty in Macleay street saw Morrison dodging about the residences in a suspicious way, and attempted to detain him. Morrison said "If you don't let mc go I will shoot you." The pair struggled together, and during the struggle Sutherland's assailant drew a revolver from his trousers pocket, and deliberately fired. The shot struck Sutherland, but, nothing daunted, he continued to grapple with the man, and finally got him to the ground. A second shot was fired. Sutherland now secured the revolver, and struck the man on the head, inflicting a wound over the left eye. He managed to hold on for a little while, and then becoming faint he had to let the man go. He afterwards died in the hospital. The prisoner, after the evidence for the prosecution had been heard, made a statement to the Court. That statement was in writintr, and it was read to the jury by the prisoner. It was substantially that on Sunday evening, June 2nd, eight days after his arrival in Sydney, he, acting under a prior arrangement, went to MacLeay to see a female. She did not keep the appointment. He waited about for some time, and started to walk home. As he was going up the street he stopped at a gate ; then it was he saw the constable walking behind him. He continued his way, and before he had gone many yards the constable accosted him, saying, "Good night." He (the prisoner) replied, " Good night." The constable further said, " You are about early." He paid no attention to this remark, and he felt himself pinned by the arms. He struggled to get away, and was struck two or three heavy blows on the head. Blood flowed from his ears and nose. He still struggled, and the constable closed with him. They continued the struggle for some distance along the footpath. He was thrown again, and feeling himself getting weaker, and at the same time not knowing what he was about, he pulled out a revolver, and in order to protect himself he fired at the constable, He brought the revolver with him to Sydney, and, being a stranger in the city, and living in a common lodging-house, he did not care to leave the revolver In the house, and so he was compelled to take it wherever he went, though not for the purpose of shooting anyone, nor to assist him in carrying out any illegal act. The jury found the. prisoner guilty of murder, and strongly recommended him to mercy on the ground that they were of opinion that his object was only to disable the constable in order to escape. The prisoner was called upon to receive sentence, and, in answer to the question whether he had anything to say, he appealed to the Judge for mercy. His Honor, iv passing the death sentence, said that tbe jury had seen fit, in the exercise of their undoubted discretion, to recommend the prisoner to mercy. That recommendation it would be his duty to forward to the proper quarter, but he was bound to say that he could not support it. It appeared to him that the prisoner had, in the most deliberate manner, taken the life of the unfortunate constable; that he went forth from his place —wherever that was—determined to take the life of, or determined to disable, any person or persons who might resist him in his evil doing. The result of his action had been to deprive the colony of the services of an able and upright servant. He had reason to believe that this was not the prisoner's first grave offence. Sentence of death was passed upon 'the prisoner, who throughout the Eroceedings had remained unmoved, and c was taken from the dock.