DEATH PENALTY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 229, 22 June 1920, Page 6

DEATH PENALTY

DENNIS GUNN MAKES STATEMENT

OTHER MEN IMPLICATED

LAW TO TAKE ITS-COURSE

Br TelecraDh-Press Association. Auckland, June 21. A voluntary statement concerning the murder of Mr. A. E. Braithwaite and the subsequent burglary at the l'onsonby Post Office was made on Saturday afternoon by Dennis Gunn, who stands condemned to death for the former crime. The statement wag token by Mr. Poynton, S.M., in his official capacity, at Mount Edon Gaol, in the. presence of witnesses. No official information is available as to the contents of the document, wl-/ich has been handed by the Magistrate to the Sheriff, and is being forwarded by the latter to the Minister of Justice at Wellington. It is under6tood, however, that the condemned man has admitted that he end another man robbed the Ponsonby Post Office, and that ho alleged that a third man shot Mr. Braithwaite. Both men mentioned in the statement are in Auckland. So far as can be gathered, no official action other than that of forwarding the statement to the Minister has been taken. / CABINET'S DECISION GUNN TO BE EXECUTED. The statement of Dennis Gunn was reeoired by the Minister of Justice (Mr. Lee) yesterday afternoon, and a meeting of Cabinet was called almost immediately fo consider what steps, if any, should bo taken concerning it. Tho decision as announced by the Prime Minister after the meeting was as follows:—

Cabinet has fully considered the statement made by Gunn. and has come to the conclusion that there is nothing to warrant it in altering the decision already arrived at.

Nothing is beinpr divulged as to the contents of Gunns statement.

As tho date fixed for the _ execution was this morning, the decision means that Gunn -will be hanged forthwith.