C. E. MACKAY SENTENCED.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16847, 29 May 1920, Page 9

C. E. MACKAY SENTENCED.

———$ FIFTEEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TET,EGTIAM.) "WANGANUI, May S. Charles Evan Mackay, who pleaded guilty to a. charge of attempted murder, tvas brought up for sentence Lcioro Sir Robert Stout at the Supreme Court this morning. In addressing liis Honour on behalf of the accused, Mr Treadwell said that after a very careful and serious consideration by himself and his friend, Mr McEcth, to whose assistance he was deeply indebted, it was decided that under the circumstances the only honourable course that could be pursued! was that Mackay should plead gui.ty. His Honour would readily realise that in advising the accused to plead guilty to such a serious charge, Mr M-cßetli and the speaker had assumed a heavy responsibility, and had hesitated considerably before tailing this course. It was his duty to exonerate Cresswell (and he did this with the full confidence and approval of the accused) from any blame whatever. He fully acknowledged tho fact- that no blame could to attached to Cresswell, and that no one could, with justification, reflect in any way upon the character and action of Cresswell. who must meet with the I commendation of all right-thinking men. Pr-oeeeding, Mr Treadwell said that accused was a man of considerable scholastic attainments, "a member of an honourable profession,_ and until recently he occupied the highest position his fellow-citizens could bestow. Now ho was in this position. Some cause must be sought- for. The reason, Mr Treadwell thought, would be found to be a subject for regret and deer* eon- , corn, and lie gave it in justification j of accused, and in the hope of somewhat mitigating the sentence. Enquiries had been made, and it had been found that for a number of years accused had been suffering from homosexual monomania. Mr Treadwell said he had gone considerably into the ' matter with tho accused, and thought he was justified in speaking of the efforts accused had made to cure himself. He had consulted doctors and metaphysicians. Mr Treadwell said i that he had statements from one of tho doctors and or.e of tho metaphysicians accused had consulted, wliicl: lie would hand to his Honour. Referring to the shooting, Mr Treadwell said that it was a matter oi common knowledge that for some months .accused had "been suffering ; from mental strain, and this, torrethei with the threat of exposure, unhingec his mind. . Counsel coneludod by an pealing to his Honour to temper justie< with mercy. His Honour, addressing Mackay, sa.ic he was very sorry to see him in this position. Be had known the accusec and his familv for many yc.ars. Ac cused was one of the most brilliant o university students. His career sinci had been good, and he had held the highest position in tho city. Now hi was in the dock. His Honour said th( r attempt to murder was an impulsiv. : act, as wns shown by Cresswell'a state s ment. He had been asked to excrcis< r his functions with compassion am _ mercy, but it should be * remembere* 3 that this was ?n attack on a human life . The ideal of justice was that humai _ life should be kept sacred, otherwis--3 the community wr.s doomed. Hi* Hon 3 our said he still honed that Maoka; would redeem himself. He had takei t the first, step in that direction by plead e ing guilty. Ho then sentenced ac cused to fifteen years' imprisonmen with hard labour.