New Lynn Murder Unmoved By Judges Dread Words.

NZ Truth, Issue 1173, 24 May 1928, Page 7

New Lynn Murder Unmoved By Judges Dread Words.

Norgrove Pleads

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"ALAN GEORGE NORGROVE, l\ after a long and careful trial, you

have been convicted by the jury of murder . . .It is accordingly my duty to pass sentence of death upon you. "I may say that I quite agree with the verdict, which was the only one upon the evidence . . .

"The sentence of the court is that you be taken to the place of execution and there be hanged by the neck until you are dead . . ."

The murderer of Brnestina Mary Norgrove, at New Lynn, on March 7 of this year, listened to the dread words with no trace of outward emotion, standing rigid, with arms folded and head held high.

His gaze did not waver until the last word of the law's terrible formula had been uttered and then he. swayed slightly towards the supporting arms of the warders.

Expert medical testimony concerning his < alleged insanity could not save Norgrove. His trial was characterized mainly by the battle between specialists on the question of his mental condition at the time he committed his brutal crime.

One Of the outstanding features of the trial was the number of women and young girls who arrived early to obtain accommodation m the public gallery. At an early hour the precincts of the Supreme Court were thronged with spectators of all types, standing m groups discussing the trial. The opening of the main door was the sigrial for a heaving surge by those behind and a rush from the more sedate outside.

'} Those who -were privileged to sit on the inside .'of the barrier were composed mainly; of Norgroves' relatives and a considerable proportion of the legal profession. From the commencement of the trial, women spectators stood upon the gallery seats? m order to obtain a better view of the murderer. He entered" the dock,, apparently calm and collected, gazing dispassionately around the crowded court. Lawyer A. Moqdy> assisted by Lawyer Keed, f ought for an acquittal on the ground of insanity.. When the charge was read, Norgrove answered m a clear, firm voice: "Not guilty." He ' remained/standing. "Mary Ernestine Norgrove, the.murdered woman, was married to accused's brother, . who ' died three years ago," Crown Prosecutor V. R. Meredith told the jury, "and 'there were five children of the marriage." The dead woman was a widow living m a four-roomed house m Cardwell Street, New Lynn, with her daughter, Mavis, aged 18, and her son, David, aged 12. There were three other children m an orphanage. "It is clear," counsel continued, "that improper relations existed between Noi-grove and Mrs. Norgrove. He had .been m the habit of spending week-ends at the New Lynn home; on such occasions, the boy, David, would sleep m the front bedroom with his sister, while Norgrove would occupy the back bedroom with Mrs. Norgrove. •f here were only two bedroom* m the house. * 'It would appear that the cause of the crime was possibly Norgrove's Jealousy m regard to the proposed marriage of the daughter, Mavis, and his jealousy at not being able to control i Mrs. Norgrove's actions to the extent he wished," added the Crown Prosecutor. ' ' Dr. Bertram Charles lieeper, oi Avondala, th« first Crown witness, accompanied Constable Horam to the New Lynn cottage of tragedy on March 7. An entry was forced by breaking the fanlight over the front door. "I found the body of a woman lying m a pool of blood on the floor of the ■nrnnntutmimiiiwmniinmmiiimmmimimMtmiMi^