The Attempted Murder.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 41, 21 May 1907, Page 5

The Attempted Murder.

A LIFE SENTENCE. Christchurch, May 18. In the case against Hehir, alias Smithers, for the attempted murder of Nellie Jackson, at the Supreme Court to-day, the jury, after ten minutes' retirement, found the prisoner guilty. The woman's throat was shockingly cut by the prisoner on the night of sth April. His Honour, Mr Justice Chapman, said : " The jury would have failed in their duty had they brought in any other verdict. There were absolutely no mitigating circumstances. If the woman's life had not been saved merely by the skill of the hospital staff the accused would have been found guilty of murder, and he (the Judge) could imagine no ground that would have induced his Majesty's Government to spare his life. He would be failing in the performance of his duty to society were he to pretend to discover any mitigating circumstances, and there was but one course open to him, and that was to inflict the highest sentence which the law allowed. The accused was then sentenced to be imprisoned, with hard labour, for the rest of his life.