Appeal By Joyce Dismissed

Northern Advocate, 19 December 1945, Page 7

Appeal By Joyce Dismissed

(Rec. 1 p.m.) ' LONDON, Dec. 18. The appeal of William Joyce against the death sentence has been dismissed by the House of Lords.

“I have come to the conclusion that this appeal should, be dismissed said the Lord Chancellor (Lord Jowitt) in measured tones, giving the Lords’ decision.

“In common with the rest of your lordships, I propose to deliver my reasons at a later date.”

Lords MacMillan and Wright then rose and said : “I agree.” Lord Porter was the only dissentient. He said: “In agreement with all Your Lordships, I think the renewal of his passport, which the appellant obtained on August 24, 1939, was evidence from which the jury might have inferred that he retained that document for use up to September 18 of that year, when he was proved to have first adhered to the King’s enemies and might therefore, have inferred that he continued to owe allegiance to the Crown to that date. JOYCE NOT PRESENT

“However, as in my view, the question whether he did so retain it was never left to the jury, but they were directed as a matter of law that his duty of allegiance was extended to 3 later date, and as Ycur Lordships cannot return the case for trial, I would allow the appeal on that ground.” Finally, Lord Simonds announced that he concurred with the Lord Chancellor and the appeal was accordingly dismissed. Joyce was not present in the House and the news was conveyed to him in Wandsworth Gaol. A man sitting in the House of Lords cried when the decision was announced: “This man is innocent. I prophesied the death of Hitler and his return.”