REPRIEVE OF McSHERRY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26396, 14 April 1951, Page 8

REPRIEVE OF McSHERRY

DISCUSSION OF CASE BY CABINET STATEMENT BY MR ALGIE (New Zealand Pre** Aatoctatton, _ . AUCKLAND, April 13. The Cabinet’s action in recommending the reprieve of the murderer Gordon Malcolm McSherry from the death sentence was discussed by the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Agie) in a telephone interview to-day. “When the case came before the Cabinet for decision, the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) outlined the procedure to be followed in all murder ■caaes,” said Mr Algie. »-iM»-Holland pointed out that in all cases Of murder It was possible for the Crown to exercise the Royal prerogative of mercy and commute the death sentence. “The Prime Minister is responsible for any decision and he would want to know that there was a substantial amount of support among tbe Cabinet for any coupe that might be decided. It is not the practice for the Cabinet to take a vote. When we met to consider McSherry’s case, Mr Holland reminded us all of the procedure, impressed on all the solemnity of the occasion, and then each one gave his opinion of the case.” Mr Algie explained that McSherry had carried out a planned murder, with no accident about it The Judge had not recommended any mercy, but from the reports submitted there was something in the present make-up of the murderer which should weigh against the death sentence being carried out Cabinet had discussed the subject with the idea that the Prime Minister, in submitting a recommendation to the Governor-General, would act on the General view of the members. When the Prime Minister had signed the Cabinet’s recommendation which was against the death sentence being carried out, he had done so in accordance with the principles on which the Cabinet worked. He had jiot necessarily expressed his own views.