MELBOURNE MURDERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 July 1942, Page 5

MELBOURNE MURDERS

ACCUSED MAN CONVICTED DEATH SENTENCE PASSED MELBOURNE. July 16. Evidence that Private Leonski had admitted the murder of three women was presented to the United States Court-martial to-day. Witnesses said that Leonski said “that he had choked Miss Hocking, because she had a fascinating and lovely voice. He wanted that voice.” He said he choked Mrs Thompson in Spring Street, because she was singing to him, and he wanted to keep hearing her sing. It was alleged that Leonski said that ne had met Mrs McLeod in a doorway in Albert Park, that he had placed his arm around her neck, and then choked her. A private of the U.S. Army said that Leonski had asked him whether he had heard of a werewolf. Leonski, ■alleged witness. had said he (Leonski) was like a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.” He had two personalities. The Judge Advocate read a medical report which said that Leonski was not insane, and never had Men. The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.

EVIDENCE FOR DEFENCE

MELBOURNE, July 7

Evidence that Private J. Leonski, charged with the murder of three women, was a “pretty good soldier when he first joined the United States Army, but became an increasingly poor one as he increasingly resorted to the use of liquor,” was given at the court-martial to-day when the defence case was opened. Witnesses told how Leonski drank concoctions composed of whisky, beer, ketchup, ice-cream, and hot peppers in various combinations, and how he could absorb a lot of beer and that he never seemed to know what happened when, he was drunk. A leading Australian psychiatrist who examined Leonski at the request of the defence, said that, presuming Leonski did commit the crimes with which he was charged under the influence of alcohol, he was likely to commit a similar crime in similar conditions. He agreed with the American Army Medical Board that. Leonski was not and never had been insane. An American captain said Leonski was perpetually in trouble, though not of a serious nature. He was inordinately proud of his strength. He appeared unable to resist liquor. On one occasion Leonski said: “Keep me in the guardhouse as long as possible. That is the only way I can keep out of trouble.” closing'addresses. (Rec. 9.45) MELBOURNE, July 18. The defence counsel, in his closing address, contended that each murder showed the actions of a man with a disordered mind, incapable of reason, plan or malice aforethought. In no case had there been definite identification of Leonski with the crimes.

The Judge Advocate, in reply, said he was conscious of his full responsibility when he said Leonski, by three fiendish, atrocious crimes, had demonstrated himself to be a person unfit to live, or continue to live. He was a constant threat to the lives of others, and a terrible example to those who might be inclined to follow his unfortunate path. The addresses concluded at 6 p.m., and Jiter an adjournment of 20 minutes, the Court reopened. The President asKed whether there were any court-martial convictions against defendant. On being informed in the negative, the Court again closed, reopening 30 minutes later, when the President announced that by a secret written ballot, threequarters of the members concurring, Leonski had been found guilty on the three charges, and with all members concurring, sentenced him to be “hung until dead.” Leonski displayed no emotion when the sentence was announced, and walked from the room, amid a strong escort.

INVALID VICTIM

MELBOURNE, July 16. The nude body of the murdered woman found in a hospital grounds in Melbourne has been identified as Miss Mary Agnes Early, aged 42. She was a frail grey-haired invalid pensioner, and had been attending the hospital as an out-patient.