NO RECOMMENDATION MADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22448, 18 June 1936, Page 15

NO RECOMMENDATION MADE

PRISONER'S BRIEF COMMENT

JUDGE PASSES DEATH SENTENCE

For the second time this year Eric Mareo, well-known musician of Auckland, last night heard a jury bring in a verdict of guilty of murder against him, and. listened to a Judge pronouncing sentence of death. There was a very large crowd about the precincts of the Court when the verdict came at a somewhat earlier hour than had been expected. When the first trial on the same charge concluded on February 26, the verdict was one of guilty, with a very strong recommendation to mercy. No such recommendation was made last night. The retrial which ended last night began on June 1, and has thus lastepl for 14 days. The jury retired at 5.30 and were back in their places a few minutes after eight o'clock. Mareo showed considerable emotion in a few sentences he addressed to the Court before the presiding Judge, Mr. Justice Callan, pronounced the inevitable sentence of death. The charge against Mareo, who is 45 years of age, was that he murdered his wife, Thelma Clarice Mareo, aged 29, at Auckland on April 1 5 of last year by administering the poison veronal to her. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. V. R. Meredith. Crown Prosecutor, and Mr. F. McCarthy, while Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., of Wellington, and Mr. T. Henry and Mr. jr q Aekins have been in charge of the defence.