JOYCE’S APPEAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 300, 20 December 1945, Page 5

JOYCE’S APPEAL

REJECTION BY THE HOUSE

OF LORDS Recd. 6 p.m. London, Dec. 18. The House of Lords, the final appeal court, has rejected the appeal of William Joyce (“Lord Haw Haw’’; against his death sentence for treason. “I have come to the conclusion that this appeal should be dismissed,” said Lord Jowitt. in measured tones, giving the Lords’ decision. ”In common with the rest of your Lordships, I propose to deliver my reasons at a later date.”

Lords MacMillan and Wright then rose and said, "I agree.” Lord Porter, the only dissentient, said: "In agreement with all your Lordships, I think the renewal o>i his passport which appellant obtained on August 24, 1939, was evidence from • •••••••••••••(•••••••••••a

which the jurv • ’ t have inferred that he retained that document for use up to September 18 of that • • when he was nroved to have first adhered to the King’s enemies and might therefore have inferred that he continued to owe allegiance to the Crown to that date. However, as in my vibw the ouestion whether he did so retain it was never left to the jury, but they were directed as a matter of law that his duty of allegiance was extended to a later date, and as your Lordships cannot return the cast? for trial 1 would allow the appeal on that ground.” Finally, Lord Simonds announced that he concurred with the Lord Chancellor and the appeal was accordingly dismissed. Joyce was not present in the House, and the news was conveyed to him in Wandsworth Gaol. A man sitting in the House of Lords cried when the decision was announced: “This man is innocent.” bn declared. “I prophesied the death of Hitler and his return.”