THE DEATH SENTENCE.
[BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.] . CnßiSTcntrßCH, Monday. STErs are being taken to petition His Excellency the Governor to commute the sentence of death passed on Arthur J. W. Roberts at the recent criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in this city, for the murder of Alice Edith Newman, on October 18. Mr. W. J. Hunter, who defended Roberts when he was' on his trial, states that at present he is preparing a petition to the Governor praying him to exercise the prerogative of mercy in the case- of ■Roberts, and to commute the sentence passed upon him. Mr. Hunter is of opinion that the exercise of the prerogative of mercy would be clearly in accordance with the recommendation of the jury in the case. He thinks it possible that the Government might order that Roberts be further examined as to his sanity.-The petition, which is to be ready for signature to-morrow morning, would simply pray that. His Excellency would exercise the prerogative of mercy and commute Roberts' sentence. To-day several people who were desirous of signing the petition called on Mr. Hunter.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14225, 23 November 1909, Page 6
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184THE DEATH SENTENCE. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14225, 23 November 1909, Page 6
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