ACCUSED SENTENCED

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 126, 28 May 1920, Page 8

ACCUSED SENTENCED

FIFTEEN YEARS' IMPRISONMENT

(BI TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WANGANUI, This Day. Charles Evan Mackay, whip pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder, was brought up for sentence at the Supreme Court this morning. In addressing his Honour on behalf of the accused, Mr. Treadwell said that after very careful and serious consideration by himself and his friend, Mr. M'Beth, to whose assistance he was deeply indebted, it was decided that the only course, which undar the circumstances was the only honourable course that could be pursued, was that Mackay should plead guilty. His Honour would readily realise that in advising accused to plead guilty to such a serious charge •Mr. M'Beth and the speaker had assumed heavy responsibility, and had hesitated considerably before taking this course. It was his duty to exonerate ■Cresswell, and he did this with the full concurrence and approval of accused, from any blame whatever. He fully acknowledged the fact that no blame could be attached to Cresswell, and that no one could with justification reflect in any way upon his character. The action of Cresswell must meet with the commendation of all right-thinking men. Proceeding, Mr. Treadwell said the accused was a man of considerable scholastic attainments, a member of an honourable profession, and until recently occupied the highest position his fellowcitizens could bestow, and now he was in this position. Some cause must be sought for reason of this. The reason, Mr. Treadwell thought, would be found to be the subject for regret and deep concern, and he gave it in justification of accused and in the hope of somewhat mitigating the sentence. Inquiries had been made, and it had been found that fdr a number of years the accused had been suffering from homo-sexual monomania. Mr. Treadwell said he had gone considerably into the matter with accused, and thought he was justified in speaking of the efforts accused had made to cure himself. He had consulted doctors and metaphysicians. Mr. Treadwell said he had statements from one of the doctors and on* of the metaphysicians accused had consulted, which he would hand to his Honour.

Referring to the shooting, Mr. Treadwell said it was/a matter of common knowledge that for some months ' accused had been suffering from mental strain, and this, together with the threat of exposure, had unhinged his mind. Mr. Treadwell concluded by appealing to his Honour to temper, justice with mercy. ,