THE PETONE MURDER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2398, 15 February 1900, Page 67

THE PETONE MURDER.

A DEATH SENTENCE. WELLINGTON. Febiwiry 6. Arthur Reginald Woif, who shot, tyro of his chiklrea iv Pctone in October and then cul his thro.il and bhot himself m the head, v,-aK put on trial 10-d;iy. Hitherto he had been too ill to appear before the court, and is still wearing bandages. Upon being called on to plead, lie said twice : " I wane to bo hanged. I don't want to go through nil this pprlormance."' Mr Jpliicoe. hi 1 ; counsel, obraincd leave to consult with him piivatelv, and on returning the prisoner apparently unwillingly pleaded not gu>li.v. Even then he could not be got to say the v, ord'j himself . but a warder had to inform, the court. The cross-examination of i.he Crown witnes-ies was directed towards showing that accused had been drinking freely on the afternoon of the tragedy. The taking of evidence was concluded this afternoon, and after brief addresses by counsel, the Chief Justice s-unimed up. He reviewed the evidence, saying- there was no doubt vt ho was the perpetrator of the crime, which was admitted by a-c: ; :sed. He pointed out that if the jury xsturned a verdict of murder it was competent for them to add a recommendation to mercy. If they found him insane at the time they must be convince -2 he was not aware that he was killing his children. After four hours' deliberation, the jury leturned a verdict of " Guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy.'' The Chief Justice said the l'ecommendation would be forwarded to the Executive, and that he would see every attention was paid to it. Replying to a question by the registrar as to whether he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed on him, accused, who appeared very calm in the dock, said in a firm voice : " I would like to moke one request, and that was, despite the recommendation of the jury, ih'it the execution should take place within 48 hours." His Honor said he had no power to grant the request, as the matter tested with the Executive. The Chief Justice, who was much affected, then assumed the black cap, and pronounced the death sentence.