DEATH SENTENCES

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 150, 19 March 1924, Page 7

DEATH SENTENCES

END OF MAKARAKA MURDER TRIAL , SCOTT FOUND GUILTY ACCUSED’S STATEMENT IN WITNESS BOX Robert Herbert Scott yes* terday was found guilty of the murder of Gwendoline - Catherine Murray, a girl 12 years of age, at Makaraka on January 23 last, and was sentenced to be hanged. Scott entered the witness-box and told the Court a somewhat sordid story. Evidence was called in an endeavour to prove he was not responsible for his actions at the |ime ho committed the murder. (BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.) - Gisborne, March 78. The trial of Robert Herbert Scott in connection with the Makar aka. murder was continued in the Supreme Court this morning. Detective McLeod produced a. letter written by accused to his father admitting bis guilt, and in which be stated: “God forgive me for bringing this shame anil sorrow io you. May God have mercy; I expect none in this world. Whatever came over me to do that God-only knows and understands. He l<*nowa that I could net master myself and seldom could. All I can do is to tell the truth and take the law’s punisnment whatever ;t may "be The rest is in His hands.” Counsel for the defence placed accused in the witness-box.

Speaking in a firm voice, Scott Said that he was 34 years of age in May. His mother’s father had been in an asylum since before prisoner could remember. His father’s father committed suicide, and ;> sister had been subject to a nervous disorder. Prisoner had been informed that at times the sister was quite insane. One of his father’s relatives had been convicted at Wanganui for, he believed, a sexual offence. Accused said that he had suffered from a nasal complaint from his birth, and he had never had the sense of smell. His school life was hell because he was shunned by his playmates, who only made n butt of him. After leaving school he fell into a bad habit. Me was convicted in 1911 for stealing bicycles, and got a sentence of live months and three years’ reformative treatment. He was sent to Lyttelton Gaol and put in the tailor’s shop with sexual offendeis and habitual criminals. Later he was sent to a tree-planting camp and’then to Auckland for medie.il treatment for his nasal trouble. After his discharge from gaol he was in Wellington, and, being thirsty, be went to a house for a drink. He found no one at home, so he changed suits of clothes. That night he realised what he had done and gave himself up to the police.-For this offence he received one year in gaol and three years’ reformative treatment. He was later medically examined and tent to Auckland and discharged. In 1917 he enlisted, but owing to illness he saw no fighting. He did not remember anything 'alout tho murder except what he in his confession. Medical evidence also was called for the defence to support counsel’s contention that prisoner did not know what he was doing at the time. Counsel addressed the jury and His Honour summed up. The jury retired at 6.40, and returned at 7.50 with a verdict of guilty. Scott was sentenced to be hanged. MURDER IN A QUARRY PRISONER SHELL-SHOCKED AND DRUNKEN • • — (Rec. March 18. 9.35 p.m.) Sydney, March 18. The trial has commenced of William Murray on the Charge of murdering George Simpson, who was found in a quarry at Minnamurra, last December, with his throat cut. Evidence was given that Murray went to the war a sober man ami returned a drunkard and shell-shocked. S(nco then, when in drink he completely lost his balance, and was unaware what he did. He had been an iir.mate .of a reception house after threatening to kill his wife and children. The murder was said to have been committed while he was drunk. —Press Assn. (Rec. March 19, 1.10 a.m.) Sydney, Maroh IS. Murray was found guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy, on account of his war services. Sentence of death was pronounced. —Press Assn.