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OPOTIKI TRAGEDY

TRIAL OF SULLIVAN. FINAL ADDRESSES. GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER. (BI TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) GISBORNE, March 9. The trial of John Sullivan, on a charge of murdering Jeremiah Williamson, was concluded at the Supreme Court this, morning. In addressing the. jury, Mr. Hodgson, •for the defence, paid a tribute to the fa.inle.ss of the prosecution. Unless, the jury was .satisfied that guilty intention was proved, it was not entitled: to convict; and, if convinced that the accused was insane lat the time, ihe was clearly entitled to an acquittal. The medical evidence, he submitted, all -pointed in this direction, and .showed! that the accused was unconscious of his actions, and incapable of telling right from wrong. There was an entire absence of motive, the murdered man being iaeousod’s best and only friend. Accused’s behaviour throughout was consistent with insanity. He made no effort to conceal the Clime, or his connection therewith. Counsel asked the jury to find the iac.cni.sed insane .at the time the offence was committed.

'Lhe Crown prosecutor .said that in the interests of the public, pleas; of insanity—which were increasing greatly —required watching carefully. The accused must be presumed to- be sane unless the defence dearly established otherwise. It would be a dangerous policy to conclude that the prisoner was not (responsible because of mental instability in the family. The defence was that the prisoner, In' drinking, produced a condition tantamount to insanity, but this was no- excuse. If the jury found that lie knew what lie was doing at the commencement of the assault it must find him guilty of manslaughter ; if cognisant of the whole proceedings, guilty of murder. The prisoner’s prior and subsequent actions all pointed to- ia realisation of (hi* actions. If the jury reached this conclusion, there was only one possible verdict.

In .summing up, his Honour said, although no doubt t.he deceased was killed by accused, it did not -necessarily follow that the accused was guilty of murder. Before conviction, -the jury must be satisfied that lie was guilty with intent. Drunkenness was no excuse, as a man became drunk at his peril. If the accused did not know the nature and quality of bis acts, he was entitled to acquittal on the grounds of •insanity, but it was no defence to say the accused was “fighting drunk.” The medical evidence appeared conclusive that be knew what he was doing at the commencement of the attack. If this opinion, was accepted'by the jury, their verdict would be one! of guilty of manslaughter. If they believed he was unconscious of his acts at the beginning and end of the murder then the accused was entitled to acquittal on the grounds of insanity. If ■accused was guilty of forming an intention to .strike the deceased, but- not to killing him, then it would find a verdict ol manslaughter. Finally, if satisfied that he knew what he was doing, and then killed Williamson, the jury would find him guilty of murder. The jury retired at 11.10 a.m. SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. ■ GISBORNE, March 9. After a retirement of under two hours, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter. The prisoner was sentenced to seven years’ hard labour. Mr. Justice Ostler commented upon the capable defence and remarked that the protection which the law throws round citizens must be held sacred, and serious crimes against life must carry a lengthy sentence.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAWST19270309.2.65

Bibliographic details

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 March 1927, Page 9

Word Count
566

OPOTIKI TRAGEDY Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 March 1927, Page 9

OPOTIKI TRAGEDY Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 March 1927, Page 9

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