MAREO'S FATE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22490, 6 August 1936, Page 10

MAREO'S FATE

LIFE IMPKISONMENT DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED PENALTY FOR WIFE MURDER DECISION OF GOVERNMENT [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Wednesday After spending a lengthy period under sentence of death for the second time this year, Eric Marco, the Auckland musician who was twice found guilty of murdering his wife, Thelma Clarice Marco, has had his sentence commuted to one of imprisonment for life. Marco's fate was considered at a meeting of the Executive Council this morning, members having previously perused the report on the trial fur. nished by Mr. Justice Callan, and the announcement that the sentence of death had been commuted was made later by the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason. The decision of the Executive Council to commute the sentence of death is in line with the general policy of the Labour Party, which is opposed to the death penalty.

.From the-day of his arrest until the sentence of death was commuted yesterday, Eric Marco has been in custody for approximately 11 months. Mrs. Marco died on the evening of April 15, 1935, and Mareo was arrested in September. After two remands, the Police Court hearing opened on September 30, and concluded after 3J days on October 3 when Mareo was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. An application for an adjournment of the charge was made on November j, and was granted. The Supreme Court hearing began on February 17 of this year, and Mareo was condemned to death on February 26, after a trial lasting nine days. The jury made a strong recommendation to mercy. An appeal for a retrial on the ground of new evidence was heard on March 23, and ended after 3i days of legal argument. The Appeal Court upheld the verdict in a decision delivered oa April 8. and a new trial was granted on April 22. The second trial began on June 1and lasted 14 days. Mareo being again condemned to death on June 17. The' jury made no recommendation.