Accused Sentenced (Evening Post, 28 May 1920)
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Summary: Accused Sentenced (Evening Post, 28 May 1920)
On 28 May 1920, Charles Evan Mackay, a whip, was sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment for attempted murder at the Supreme Court in Wanganui. During the proceedings, Mackay pleaded guilty to the serious charge, with his legal representative, Mr. Treadwell, explaining the rationale behind this decision. Treadwell mentioned that both he and his colleague, Mr. M'Beth, deliberated carefully before advising Mackay to plead guilty, acknowledging the significant responsibility attached to this decision. Mr. Treadwell emphasized that another individual, Cresswell, should bear no blame in this case, declaring that Cresswell's actions were commendable and deserving of admiration by all. He sought to clear Cresswell's name, indicating that his character should not be questioned by anyone. The background of Mackay's actions, as per Treadwell, required exploration to understand the rationale behind the attempt on Cresswell's life. Treadwell revealed that Mackay had been suffering from what he described as "homo-sexual monomania" for several years, suggesting that this mental health issue played a crucial role in the incident. He advocated that significant stress and the fear of exposure contributed to Mackay's psychological decline, which ultimately led to the shooting. Citing Mackay's scholarly background and prior esteemed position within his community, Treadwell noted that there must have been underlying reasons for Mackay's downfall. In his closing remarks, Treadwell appealed to the presiding judge to show mercy in sentencing, suggesting that Mackay's mental state and efforts to seek help from doctors and metaphysicians should be considered. He presented statements from healthcare professionals that supported Mackay’s mental struggles, hoping they would contribute to a more lenient sentence. Despite these arguments for clemency, Mackay was sentenced to fifteen years in prison, highlighting the serious nature of the attempted murder charge, regardless of the mitigating circumstances concerning his mental health. The case reflects the complexities surrounding legal accountability, mental illness, and societal views on such matters in the early 20th century.
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