GUILTY OF MURDER

Evening Star, Issue 23639, 27 July 1940, Page 10

GUILTY OF MURDER

CARTMAN SENTENCED ID DEATH THE WAIKINO TRAGEDY [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 26. The closing stage in the trial cf Douglas Herbert Cartman, a miner, of Waihi, aged 22 years, on a charge that at Waikiuo on April 2 he murdered Mrs Elizabeth Agnes Hamilton was reached after 3 p.m. to-day in the Supreme Court. After a retirement of. three hours and a-half the jury returned with a verdict finding the accused guilty of murder. Asked the usual question whether he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, the accused did not reply. Assuming the black cap, Mr Justice Fair pronounced sentence of death upon the accused. After the prisoner, who showed no sign of emotion, had been led away, his Honour thanked the jury for the care they had given the case and excused them from further jury service until after the end of next year. He added that he was in agreement with the jury in the belief that the evidence conclusively justified the verdict. An expression of appreciation of the excellent work done by the police in their investigation of the crime and of the complete and thorough manner in which the case had been presented to the jury was also voiced by his Honour. He added his thanks to counsel for their capable conduct of both the prosecution and the defence.