MACKAY SENTENCED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14128, 28 May 1920, Page 5

MACKAY SENTENCED.

15 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMENTS. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) WANGANUI, This Day. At tho Wanganui Supreme Court this morning, Charles Evan Mackay, who pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of W. D. Cresswell, came up for sentence. Mr Treadwell, who appeared eused, stated that it was his duty to exonerate the young man Cresswell who was shot by Mackay from any blame whatever. Mr Treadwell said that he made this statement with the full approval of accused. Cresswell’s actions throughout must meet with the commendation of all right-thinking men. Mr Treadwell said Ihat bo thought, that tho reason the accused, who was a man of scholastic attainments and a member of an honourable profession, and "'ho, until recently, occupied tlie highest position his fellowcitizens could bestow, had got into his present position was that he was suffering from some sexual monomania. Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) referred to Mackay’s past career, which had been very bright, and while he would exercise liis powers of mercy and leniency he pointed out that accusedwas charged with attempting to take the life of a human being. The idea of justice was that human life must be kept sacred, and if in any community this ideal slackened the community would soon become non-existent,. Ilis Honour had hopes yet that Mackay would redeem himself. He had taken tlie first step in pleading guilty, , Tho sentence would be. fifteen years ’, with hard labour.