GAOL FOR LIFE
Man Guilty Of Murder
(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 20. A jury in the Supreme Court at Auckland today found James William Leon Lewis, aged 50, a scrub-cutter, guilty of murder. The jury took four hours 39 minutes to reach a verdict and added a strong recommendation for mercy. Mr Justice T. A. Gresson said: “The sentence for murder under the Crimes Act is as I understand it. mandatory. I have no other alternative but to impose a life sentence.” But his Honour said that he would ensure that the recommendation of the jury reached the authorities.
Lewis had pleaded not guilty to a charge of murdering a fellow scrub-cutter. Melvin Jack Forrester, on July 26, 1962, at Orapiu, Waiheke Island.
Lewis was represented by Mr A. M. Finlay. Mr S. A. Cleal and Mr R. L. Maclaren appeared for the Crown.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 16
Word Count
145GAOL FOR LIFE Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 16
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