BORDON BANK MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18773, 29 July 1924, Page 7

BORDON BANK MURDER.

APPEAL TO HOME OFFICE.

REPRIEVE NOT TO BE GRANTED.

A. and N.Z.

LONDON. July 27.

The Home Office has iconsidered medical reports regarding the mental condition of Abraham Goldenberg, who was condemned to death for the murder of Mr. W. Hall, formerly manager of the Bordon branch of Lloyd's Bank. As a result it has refused to reprieve him.

Goldenberg, [formerly a lance-corporal in the East Lanes. Regiment camped at Bordon, is a Polish Jew. It was alleged that he stole an officer's revolver, went to the bank, stepped behind the counter, and ordered Mr. Hall to put his hands up. Mr. Hall rushed toward a drawer and accused fired. Mr. Hall fell, and accused took the keys from his pocket and gathered a largo number of Treasury notes and escaped. At his trial accused pleaded not guilty. His counsel announced that in the event of the jury deciding that his client was guilty, lie proposed to apply for acquittal on the ground of insanity. Constable Day gave evidence that when Goldenberg admitted the crime he declared ho would do it again for m6ney. Witness denied that Goldenberg was excited at the time or that he made rambling statements, but admitted he had mado strange statements. Superintendent Jones gave evidence thai he received an anonymous letter, signed "M," which declared that accused was innocent, as the writer had committed the crime. The Judge and counsel received similar letters. Accused's father stated in evidence that Goldenberg, when a child, fell and injured his skull. Afterwards he was very strange in manner and kept continually alone. When he enlisted he wrote asking for forgiveness, as his life had been a. curse, and everyone seemed to laugh at him. During the cross-examination of his ifather, accused rose in the dock and asked the Judge to prevent counsel asking questions concerning his relations with a girl. "Stop him mentioning my girl's name," he cried. "I would sooner hang than have her mentioned." Throughout the hearing Goldenberg constantly interrupted the proceedings by violent outbursts. The petition for a reprieve was submitted to the Home Office by members of the House of Commons, on the grounds that accused was insane.