TOO INSANE TO PLEAD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19245, 27 July 1932, Page 8

TOO INSANE TO PLEAD

CHARGE OF MURDER AGAINST CORRIGAN. PRISONER ORDERED TO BE DETAINED. By Tf’l.sraott -wires. ..ssnc’arlon PALMERSTON N„ July 26. Found by a specially empanelled jury to be so insane that he could not plead to the indictment, John Dillon Corrigan (23), charged with the murder of his parents, John and Ellen Corrigan, at Mangamahoe, near Eketahuna, on March 23th, was in the Supreme Court ordered by Mr Justice Ostler, to be detained in the Porirua Mental Hospital during the pleasure of the Minister of Justice. “It seems to me to be clear, both from evidence I have read and the depositions that there is a question here which ought to be determined,” said the Judge. “I will assume for that purpose that the accused did kill his father and mother. The evidence is that the accused was apparently insane at the time, and did not know the nature and quality of the act. If he is still so insane, it seems to be clear that he cannot plead, and if he is still found to be suffering from the same delusions, I think the proper course is to empanel the jury to decide whether he is sane or insane.” The jury was empanelled under the Mental'Defectives Act, and the medical evidence was heard of Dr. Blair, assistant superintendent of Porirua, and J.r. Hosking, Mtsterton, and the report submitted by Dr. Williams, superintendent of Porirua. The jury, after a retirement of nine minutes, found the accused so insane that he could not plead.