GREY LYNN MURDER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12092, 3 November 1933, Page 4

GREY LYNN MURDER

EDWARD’S FOuNe GUILTY. . STRONG RECOMMENDATION TO MERCY. PRISONER SENTENCED TO death. r Press A ssociaticn ). AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. The trial of John Hubert Edwards, 41 years of age, laborer, charged with the murder of Mrs. Christian Cunningham, at her home in Grey Lynn, concluded in the Supreme Court today. Evidence of medical men on the question of the prisoner’s sanity occupied. the greater: part of the day. Dr. Buchanan, superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital, was asked by Mr. Justice Herdman: “Did ho strike- you a s being Honest in his answers during your interviews with him ?” The witness: I did not think hjs statement that he could not remember certain things wag honest. The judge- Would you certify to him being insane? The witness: No. Dr. G. AT. Tof bill endorsed Dr. Buchanan’s opinion. He said he thought the accused wag neurasthenic Emotional instability was one of the symptoms of neurasthenia. Q nd people so suffering were quicker to fly into passion than normal people. Witness had no reason to believe that at the time of the killing the accused did not know what he wa s doing. The witness 'thought his acts were conscious acts. Cross-examined he said that if it was proved that the accused had suffered from Hallucinations and delusions he would have to alter his opinion. Dr. Gribbin and Dr- Tewslev. medical officers to the Auckland prison. both said they considered that the. accused knew what be was doing. This concluded the evidence, counsel addressed the jury, and His Honor summed up. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy. fir. Justice Herdman pronounced sentence of death. During the trial, which extended over four days, evidence was given by 20 witnesses, of whom two were medical witnesses for the defence, and four were medical witnesses for the Crown. The jury retired at 3.30 p.m., and returned at 5 p.m.