TEN YEARS’ HARD LABOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 25325, 6 November 1944, Page 8

TEN YEARS’ HARD LABOUR.

Christchurch, November 6.—Roy Kitchener Kennedy, airman and baker, who last week was tried for the murder of Edgar Williams and found guilty of manslaughter, with a recommendation to mercy, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with hard labopr, by Mr Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court this morning. On Kennedy’s behalf, Mr C. S. Thomas appealed to the court to give as much weight as possible to the jury’s recommendation to mercy. His Honour said Kennedy had been properly convicted for taking the life of the unfortunate stepfather of his wife: In making its recommendation to mercy the jury had apparently accepted the prisoner’s view of his grievance with his wife, but, whether his wife had given him cause for jealousy or not, it was clear

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that Kennedy had taken a gun, apparently loaded, with the idea of frightening his wife or at least of disturbing the household ..where she was living. As a result, Williams had lost his life, and the responsibility for that was entirely Kennedy's, said His Honour. —Press Association.

DEATH OF FIREMAN. Fireman. J. Winton, one of the five affected by carbon monoxide while attending a fire on Wednesday night, died in hospital to-day. —Wellington Press Association.^.

BUDAPEST BATTLE. S RUGBY, November s.—Although reports from Budapest radio state that Russian tanks have entered the Hungarian capital no confirmation comes from the Soviet communique. HAIL STORM SWEEPS ORCHARDS. A severe hail storm in the Redwoods Valley on Saturday,- night caused considerable damage to 200 acres of apple orchards. Early estimates indicate that the crop loss will be 60,000 cases. The top parts of the trees were practicably defoliated. —'Nelson Press Association.