VERDICT OF GUILTY
Christchurch Arson Trial
MERCY RECOMMENDED By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchufch, October 22. A verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy, was returned by lhe jury in the Supreme Court to-day in the case in which Francis Herbert Dennis Fitzgerald, aged 27, labourer, was charged with arson on August 18 at Woodend. The building set fire to by accused was a four-room-ed house belonging to Charles George Stevenson and occupied by Fitzgerald. It was disclosed in evidence that accused, who had been very susceptible to the effects of drink since receiving a head injury some years ago, had. after drinking', tried to commit suicide by burning himself to death. It was stated by the Crown prosecutor that accused was unstable mentally, though not Irresponsible or insane. Evidence was given by several witnesses that accused had had drink on that day, had quarrelled with his wife, and had tried to commit suicide by slashing his arms with a razor. In accused's statement to the police he said he intended to die in the burning house, but the smoke and heat became too much for him and he went outside. Accused was remanded for sentence.
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Bibliographic details
Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 24, 23 October 1936, Page 11
Word Count
196VERDICT OF GUILTY Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 24, 23 October 1936, Page 11
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