MANSLAUGHTER VERDICT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 8

MANSLAUGHTER VERDICT

PRISON TERM FOR WIFE DUNEDIN TRIAL ENDS JURY OUT FOR SHORT TIME [ Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 2. When the trial of Jessie Eva. Dici<-

son for the alleged murder of her (husband was continued, her counsel, Mr. J. G. Warrington, addressing the jury, said there was no dispute as to the facts. Counsel proceeded to draw a pathetic picture of a wife and mother who had been endeavouring to hold a husband she loved and who, in desperation, she had struck. i Three courses were open to the I jury, namely to find accused guilty jof murder, guilty of manslaughter or acquit her. | The Chief Justice, Sir Michael IMyers: "If the jury are to accept the [second statement at its full value i will instruct that a third alternative is not open. I will direct the jury to that end as a matter of law.” Counsel said the jury would take the law from the Judge, but were the judges of fact. Counsel invited the jury to return a verdict of manslaughter as the act did not constitute premeditated homicide. The Judge, summing up, said he did not draw from accused's first statement the inference that the Crown had invited the jury to draw. "I hope 1 show no injustice to ihe Crown Prosecutor when 1 say his address showed lack of appreciation of the ordinary impulses of human nature,” he said. The ’ question was whether what was said and done before the offence was sufficient to try the patience of excused. The jury

must not forget the number of blows struck. If the jury accepted accused's statement as substantially correct he thought, they should return a verdic' of manslaughter.

The jury retired at 12.12 p.m., returning at 11.55 p.m. with a verdict of manslaughter and a mercy recommendation, which the Judge approved, (sentencing accused to 18 months’ reformative detention. ' 'When ihe jury gave the verdict the (Judge asked Mr. Warrington if he count tell him anything further of what sort of life deceased had led accused. Counsel said that for the whole four years of her married life she had had trouble, by his laziness during the depression, and his weakness for other women. I Pronouncing sentence, Sir Michael Myers said there must be some punishment because it must never be [thought that human life could be i taken. “Nevertheless,” he added, (“your life with this man was the reI verse to happy. You seem to h.?ve (been very badly treated.”