TOMAHAWK SHOOTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18622, 28 April 1932, Page 7

TOMAHAWK SHOOTING.

CONCLUSION OF TRIAL. VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER. MADDENED BY DRINK. (By Telegrapn.—Tress Association.) DUNE DiX, Wednesilay. A verdict of manslaughter was returned by the jury in the Supreme Court to-day in tiie case in which Lewis William O’Connor, was charged with murdering Findlay Douglas Buchanan at Tomahawk on March 30. Buchanan was shot at the door of Ills home at an early hour in the morning. Counsel for accused urged that when O’Connor admitted he had committed the crime lie was in such a condition through drink that he did not know what he was saying. Under the circumstances the killing of Buchanan was not murder. Counsel referred at- length to evidence showing that O’Connor was so drunk that ho was behaving like a madman. Counsel submitted that O'Connor was maddened by drink and that he had lost his sound reasoning quality. By reason of the quantity of liquor he had consumed he was in such a condition that, he was incapable of forming any intention. Counsel could not plead insanity, but he did plead drunkenness on the part of accused to such an extent as to dethrone accused's reason. Shot His Friend. The Crown Prosecutor, in urging the necessity of a severe penalty, said the man killed was prisoner’s friend. Within an hour of the killing prisoner had been hospitably received but went back and shot deceased practically in his'wife’s presence and in the same room where his own child was asleep. The jury returned a verdict of manslaughter and accused was remanded for sentence until to-morrow morning.

Accused, who is aged 24, is a married man. Deceased, who was also aged 24, was married, and was a relief worker. The evidence went to show that shortly after midnight on March 29 accused went to deceased's house and asked for a cigarette. Deceased gave him one and advised him to go home. Apparently they departed on good terms. Shortly afterwards, it was alleged,' accused returned and shot Buchanan when the latter opened the door to him. Buchanan died shortly afterwards.

14 YEARS’ HARD LABOUR. NO COMMENT BY JUDGE. (By Telegrapn.—rrcr-s Association.) DUNEDIN, Thursday. In the Supreme Court, Lewis William O’Connor, who was found guilty of manslaughter in killing Findlay Douglas Buchanan at Tomahawk on March 30, was sentenced to 14 years’ hard labour. Mr Justice Kennedy inflicted the sentence without comment.