MARED’S FATE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13311, 18 July 1936, Page 4

MARED’S FATE.

MAY NOT DIE. LABOUR’S POLICY NOT YET TESTED. Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, I-ast Night. The fact thai the abolition of capita, punishment has been a Plank in the Labour platform to:- v many years and that individual members of the party are opposed to capital punishment, will not be a factor which will enter into the Execußve Council’s consideration of the fate ot Eric Mareo. The Council will consider the case on its merits. It will take into consideration the unusual circumstances existing in the Mareo household at the time of the murder, the possibilities of Mareo being influenced by liquor or drugs, the recommendation of mercy by the jury in the first trial, and the confidential report of the presiding Judge in the second trial. It is considered most unlikely that the death penalty will be carried out. Were there no circumstances which the' Executive Council could take into consideration, then Cabinet would be faced with the alternative of approving the death sentence or having the law altered to permit its abolition. Because ol the circumstances of the Mareo case, it will not yet bo faced with this important issue. So far no application has been made for leave to apply for a new trial.