GUILTY OF ARSON

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 11

GUILTY OF ARSON

ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE

YOUNG.MAN FOR SENTENCE

(By" Telccrapli.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, October 22,

A. verdict of guilty, with a strong 'recommendation to jnercy, was re< turned by the jury in the Supreme Court today in the casein which Francis .Herbert Dennis Fitzgerald, aged 27, labourer, was charged with arson on August 18 at Woodend. The building set on fire by the accused was a four-roomed house belonging to Charles George Stevenson and occupied by Fitzgerald. It was disclosed in evidence that the 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 the accused was unstable mentally, though not irresponsible or insane. •. .■'■■■'. ■ • • . .

Evidence was given by several witnesses that the accused had.had drink on that day, had quarrelled with his wife, arid had tried to commit suicide by slashing his arms with a razor. In the 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.

, The accused was remanded lor sentence. ■ ■ . ■ ■