FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25437, 8 March 1948, Page 8

FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

LIFE SENTENCE FOR MRS HASKELL DEATH OF MRS GLADYS RUSDEN (P.A.) AUCKLAND. March 7. After retiring at 1 p.m. the jury returned at 4.30 p.m. to-day with a verdict of guilty, at the retrial of Mrs Pansy Louise Frances Haskell, aged 49, who was charged with murdering Mrs Gladys Ruth Rusden at Horututu road. One Tree Hill, ou June 5, 1947. The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labour by Mr Justice Finlay, who said: “You have been convicted of a very cruel murder.” The defence counsel, Mr M. Robinson, said that the evidence of the dead ■woman’s husband, Rusden, had been contradicted in several material respects by other witnesses. If, on the evidence, it appeared reasonable, or likely, or possible, or probable, that Rix or Rusden did the murder, and it was not proved beyond reasonable doubt that accused did it, then it was the jury's duty to acquit her. Counsel submitted that the murder could have been committed by Rusden before he went to work, for it had been stated that the attack could have been made as early as 7 a.m. Counsel submitted that Rusden was infatuated with the accused at the time, and did not love his wife, as Rusden. would have had the jury believe.

His Honour in his earlier summing up said the question the jury had to answer was simply was it or was it not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mrs Haskell murdered Mrs Rusden. There was a combination of circumstances to prove that the morning had been somewhat advanced when Mrs Rusden was killed, so the jury could draw some inference of the time. After referring to the evidence by Rix, which was corroborated by other witnesses, his Honour referred to the suicide message in the lodger's book. His Honour said that while accused was writing it she had had an interview with her counsel and his clerk. His Honour commented on contradictions by accused concerning the key to the Rusden house.

His Honour added that the evidence o: identification by Campbell and Mrs Stubb: was the most important of the lot, anc the 'jury could disbelieve everything elst if it believed the evidence of the accusec being seen in the neighbourhood of tht Rusden house, dressed as a man.

While the jury was away at dinner many people stood in the main entrance without having anything to eat, waiting to be allowed in again. Women lost their hats and cried out with pain as the crowd surged forward in a tight crush when the doors were reopened. More than 3000 people, some of whom stood up on seats at the back to get a better view, crammed themselves into the narrow public gal-

After the foreman announced the verdict of guilty the prisoner cried, “Oh, oh!” A murmur from the crowd was silenced by the Court Crier.

His Honour thanked the jury for their long and arduous services and relieved them from all jury service for seven years. When the prisoner was asked if she had anything to say, Mr Robinson said he felt it was his duty to mention something he had already drawn attention to during the trial. His Honour said the matter need not be brought up then. To the prisoner, his Honour said. “You have been found guilty of very cruel murder.”

The prisoner: But I have not done it. His Honour: I do not want to add tc any feelings of regret that may actuate you now or in the future. In accordance with the law I sentence you to imprisonment with hard labour for life.

Witnesses came twice from as far awaj as Christchurch to give evidence in the case, which was the longest and costliest in Auckland since the Bayly trial. The jury failed to agree after the first triai In November. Forty-four witnesses were heard and more than 100.000 words of evidence were recorded in the retrial.