SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 4

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

BENNIER'S trial. I By Telegraph,—Press _. .. , Wanganui, La»t Night. The trnU of Frank Edward Bemtier, for the murder of his wife at Kaungaroa, on September 10, was continuedTt the Supreme Court to-day, before Justice Edwards, Prisoner gave evidence, and stated hj« < did not remember the tragedy. He ad. mitted prior to the tragedy tailing a police sergeant he would "do for" his wife, but stated he yrtu not sober at the time. He might also have told another man he would "settle his wife,"but he did not remember it.

Counsel for the prisoner contended that the crime was committed durititr a fit of impulsive insanity. ~ The Crown prosecutor occupied (mly 10 minutes in his address to the jurv, A&d ■contended the crime was the aot of a revengeful man, who was not insane. His Honor's summing up occupied 20 minute 9. Mr. Justice' Edwards said the case was extraordinary in many ways. Prisoner had attacked six persons in the house before attacking hid wife;, The evidence showed that the prisoner nu emotional and of low intellectual' ability, It was curious that no expert evideos* was called for the defence, counsel relying on medical authorities to support the plea of impulsive insanity. The jury, after three hours' retirement, returned a verdict of guilty. Prisoner made no reply asked if he had anything to say before sentence was passed. His Honor then put on the black cap, and pronounced the sentence of death.