SENTENCE ON MRS. KOERBIN

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 26

SENTENCE ON MRS. KOERBIN

THREE MONTHS IN PRISON JURY’S RECOMMENDATION ACCEDED TO As soon as the doors of the Supreme Court were thrown open to the public yesterday morning a big crowd made a rush to gain admittance to the large court room, where Marion Koerbin, a married woman, aged 47. was to be sentenced by Air. Justice Sim on a charge of attempting to administer poison to her husband, Herbert Koerbin, with the intent to injure or annoy him. The prisoner, who was brought to the Court in a motor-car from Point Halswell, where she had been detained since her arrest on June 26, appeared very pale and nervous as she hurried into the dock from the small witnesses’ room, with bowed head, in order to try and avoid the public gaze. On behalf of the prisoner, Air. A. B. Sievwright asked for leniency. The jury had strongly recommended Airs. Koerbin to mercy, and he requested His Honour to take that fact into consideration when passing sentence. The offence was a most uncommon one, and that being so, a severe penalty to act as a deterrent to others would not be necessary.

“The prisoner,” continued Air. Sicvwright, "has always been a very good mother to her children, who are now reaching the age when they require a mother’s attention more than ever. I suggest that probation could perhaps be extended under the circumstances, as the children will need their mother with them.' The father does not give them proper attention, while she does everything possible for their welfare. I would also ask Your Honour to take into consideration the fact that she has been in custody since June 26.”

The Crown Prosecutor (Air. P. S. K. Alacassey) said he had nothing to say beyond the fact that the father was very fond of his children, indeed. It was on account of his affection for the children that he had gone back to his wife after they had been separated. Air. Sievwright: I say he is not fond of his children, your Honour. I have independent witnesses here in this Court at present, who can-prove what I say to be the case. Sir. Justice Sim: There is no need to go into that question at all. It is fortunate for the prisoner that the jury felt justified in acquitting her of the more serious charge—attempted murder. I shall take into consideration the jury s strong recommendation of mercy, and give effect to it as fully as possible. It seems clear, however, that _ the prisoner must undergo a . term of imprisonment for the offence of which she has been found guilty. I shall also take into consideration the fact that the prisoner has been in custody since June 26, and sentence her to a term of imprisonment for three months.