MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1944, Page 6

MANSLAUGHTER SENTENCE

TEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT

WELLINGTON, Nov. 2.

A sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed bv Mr. Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court to-day on Douglas Fraser, a farm labourer, aged 48, who was found guilty earlier this week ol manslaughter when charged with the murder of Peter James- Louis, aged 17 at Gladstone on July 27 last. “There are in this case signs that under the influence of clnnk, you might commit violence to friends and associates without any provocation whatever,” said his Honor to the prisoner. “I cannot let you loose to the public without your first paying the full penalty for this crime. His Honour added that it must necessarily be a long period in view ol the veiy brutal crime committed. Mr. R. Hardie Boys, for the prisoner, said he apprehended that the punishment his Honor might feel impelled in public justice and secunty to mete out to this man might depend on the view his Honor had finally taken oi delirium tremens entering into the matter. The prisoner had borne no malice, and was the greatest of friends with the boy. It appeared that, the prisoiner was one oi those men who led an unnatural lite, shutting themselves away from society lor months at a time, and having only one idea of relaxation— drinking in h °His”Honor commented that in 1934 the prisoner had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment with nard labour for arson, and two years reformative detention of attempted arson. Before the Judge sentenced him on that occasion the prisoner wrote a letter, in which he said he did not seek to escape punishment, but wished to explain the facts. He had been drinking when he committed the crime, and did not realise its natuie till the next morning, and then he had only a hazy recollection. The prisoner had realised then what might have happened had the hotel burned with people living there. He had said he had firmly resolved never to touch drink again. Arson was a serious crime, and the prisoner on that occasion had shown utter disregard.