It was announced on Wednesday night that the death sentence
upon Stinie Morrison had been commuted to one of penal servitude for life. We feel that, on the whole, Mr. Churchill's decision was justified by the circumstances. The case was admittedly a doubtful one, and the jury were probably influenced in their verdict by the facts as to the prisoner's character which, through a tactical error in the defence, were brought out during the trial. It is to be remarked, too, that neither the judge who tried the case nor the Court of Criminal Appeal expressed their agreement with the jury's finding, as they commonly do in cases where the facts cannot be doubted. While, therefore, there is enough probability of Morrison's guilt to justify the most severe punishment, it is still just possible that some proof of his innocence may come to light. Consequently to exact an irrevocable penalty would be rash.
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