STRONVAR MURDER CASE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 8 November 1919, Page 5

STRONVAR MURDER CASE.

ACCUSED ACQUITTED.. ON GROUND OF INSANITY. (United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. - At the Supreme Court in the .Stronvar murder .case, ‘Mr Wilford, addressing the jury, pointed to the imt portance of the med-cal evidence, and asked if the accused was so much, to blame. Was he not mdre to be pitied, as his mental capabilities were below normal. The regret was that his mental trouble was not discovered 1 earlier and action taken to place him in a mental hospital. Hia Honour, in summing up, put t f) the jury two questions: first, was the accused, James Reside, insane a-t the time he committed the offence With which he' is charged; , second, do you acquit him on the ground of insanity? There was. no dispute *at to the facts of the case., The accused: admitted that ho had killed Carr, and at no time made any secret, of it, and Were it not for the v question of insanity raised he-'Would 'simply say to them" that a prima facie case of murder had been established, v -But they were free of that, for they had a distinct defericd of . insanity set up. Without retiring the jury answered the two : questidiig submitted l to Greffi in the affirmative :

His' Honour:, ordered that the prisoner be kept ffi custody in the public prison in ‘Wellington until the pleasure of the Minister of Justice ijae known. ■ ' »**