§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Attorney General if his attention has been drawn to the recent case in which a mother and daughter were condemned to death for the murder of the 13 days old illegitimate son of the daughter; why the mother of the child was not charged with infanticide; and if, in such cases in future, he will ensure that the accused mother is proceeded against for infanticide.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have made inquiries into this case and am satisfied that the evidence before the prosecution indicated the offence of murder and not of infanticide. It is always open in such a case for the accused to raise the defence of infanticide and for the jury so to find. In this case the defence was raised and put to the jury by the learned Judge. The defence failed.