FOUND GUILTY

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 6

FOUND GUILTY

DISCHARGING REVOLVER CHRISTCHURCH CASE CONCLUDED JUDGE’S REMARKS (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, May 5. “It has been said that this case is of the greatest importance to the parties concerned. I agree, but it is of much more importance to the general public of New Zealand, for by your verdict to-day it will go forth from Christchurch whether a person can shoot another who refuses to leave his or her house when requested,” said his Honour, Mr Justice Macgregor, when summing up to the jury in the Supreme Court to-day at the conclusion of the trial of Myrtle Long, a married woman, on a charge of discharging a revolver at Arthur Henry Way, on March 25, with intent to do grievous bodily harm. The case was heard first yesterday, but the jury disagreed and a new trial was ordered. This took place to-day. After' a retirement of 75 minutes the jury returned with a verdict of guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy on account of extreme provocation and mental distress. The jury also suggested that Mrs Long should be in some way protected from further molestation by the witness Way. Outlining the case for the Crown, the Crown Prosecutor said it was quite simple. The accused had fired five shots at Way, intending to hit him, and there could be no answer to the Crown’s case. It was important, however, that persons should not have the protection of the jury’s verdict when they used revolvers in such circumstances.

His Honour, referring to Way, in the summing up, said: “Way is a worthless creature, who sponged on the woman for years and made her life a misery, but that does not excuse the shooting. It might in some of the Western States of America, but not here. What conclusion would you have come to had the woman shot the man in the heart, instead of the arm? You might accompany your verdict with a recommendation to mercy and I. will act upon it.” His Honour continued: “No doubt you share with me a feeling of disgust at the conduct of the man Way, but that cannot be allowed to stand in the way of justice.” The prisoner was remanded for sentence until Monday. Bail as formerly was renewed.