DESERVED FIVE YEARS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10767, 20 February 1928, Page 3

DESERVED FIVE YEARS

A FORTUNATE PRISONER. A remarkable situation was create'* in the Auckland Supreme Court when Air Justice Reed passed sentence upon Laurence Mackenzie, aged. 41. who was charged with attempting to murder his wile, Honour Clarke Mackenzie at'Parnell, on December 30. There were minor charges of assault, causing actual bodily harm, and of common assault. Pass og sentence. Hus Honour said that according to the evidence given in tiie- case, accused bad been unfortunate with bis farm. That was probably correct, but. on the other hand, he had been very fortunate in regard to the results following upon this attack on his wife. He might easily have been- upon Ms trial for murder. He had a.-ls f , been lucky in finding a sympathetic jury. “I don’t agree, with their verdict -a hit," said His Honour. “I am satisfied that you had every intention to murder your wife. Your nerve failed on when you found she w-ais incapable of resistance. My own view' is that you planned the whole matter. You procured a hammer with the purpose of either killing vour wife, or of stunning her, so that she eo.uk! not resist. 1 cannot impose, less sentence than that of five years’ imprisonment with hard labour.” The prisoner uttered a cry. Ho was at once taken below . Mi- Moody immediately rose to liis feet. 1 ‘May I,’’ lie- asked, “draw our Honour's attention to the fact that the maximum sentence, for the offence under the section is three years ?’’ His Honour: I overlooked that. Bring the prisoner hack. Mackenzie was recalled to the dock and it- wus indicated that the sentence would be one of three years, not five. “He deserved five years." commented His Honour.