Wounds Indicated “Degree Of Frenzy”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 16

Wounds Indicated “Degree Of Frenzy”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 16. The general nature of the wounds on the body of Isabella Black Taylor indicated they were inflicted in “some degree of frenzy,” a medical witness said in the Supreme Court today. Edward McMillan Sweeney, aged 36. a workman, is charged with the murder of Taylor, also known as Elizabeth Sweeney, aged 39, at Wellington on March 8. Evidence for the prosecution was completed today. Mr W. R. Birks, with him Mr J. D. Murray, appeared for the Crown and Mr F. D. O'Flynn, with him Mr Q. M. Smith, appeared for Sweeney. Mr Justice Hutchison presided. When the case resumed today Sergeant Edward Graham Perry said that on March 8, in answer to a call, he went to 142 Sydney street west at 945 p.m. On a single bed he saw the body of a woman fully clad, with the head lying towards the foot of the bed. There were two deep punctures in the chest and a wound under the left ear. Barry John Breen, an ambulance driver, said he had unsuccessfully administered oxygen to the deceased. Kathleen Ellen Greenwood, a part-time housekeeper in the presbytery of the Basilica in Hill street, said she was on duty when she heard a man's voice from outside calling out. Call For Priest The man said he wanted one of the priests and witness told him they were not at home but would be back soon. He replied, "I can’t, I murdered my wife.” The witness told him that was ridiculous. He then said: “I did, I stabbed her,” and pulled a knife out of his right-hand trouser pocket. He then disappeared down the front of the church. She formed the impression he was very drunk. Donald John Shaw, a postal assistant, said he had known the accused for about three years. Late on the night of March 8 Sweeney came to his home and mumbled something about Isabella but the witness did not take

much notice. Sweeney gave a man called Burton £5 to get some beer. Burton came back with a bottle of beer, a bottle of whisky and some cigarettes. Next morning the witness. Burton and a man called Mullin went with the accused to the Brunswick Hotel where each had four or five drinks. While in the hotel the witness saw a newspaper headline but did not say anything to Sweeney about it. Sweeney had been talking during the morning about going to the police station as he thought there would be a row over Isabella the night before. The party left the hotel to go to the police station. They got to another hotel, the St George, and went in there. Soon afterwards the police came in. There had been no mention as to what the row over Isabella had been. To Mr O'Flynn, the witness said Sweeney appeared to be considerably under the influence of alcohol when he first saw him. 'lt was, therefore. very difficult to understand what he was saying. “Drunken Manner” Michael Nelson Burton, a postal assistant, said he had known both Sweeney and Taylor. On the night of March 8 Sweeney came to the house and was in a bit of an alcoholic state. He said. “I did it again,” in a drunken manner and the witness thought there had been another tiff. Next morning the landlord came up and said: “Get out of my house, Sweeney. The police are looking for you.” To Mr O'Flynn, Burton said he was with Sweeney on the first occasion he met the deceased. She too had a Scottish accent. Mr O’Flynn: You * know that, like Sweeney, she came from or about Glasgow?— Yes. And it is true, is it not. they were attracted to each other at once?—Yes. And almost straight*away she went out to the works camp at Porirua to live with Sweeney?—Yes. Isn’t it within your knowledge and observation that in the last two years or so Isabella, in particular, had!

begun to drink more than she did when you first met her? —Yes. You also knew that Sweeney supported her and that he always had?—Yes. Her drinking more and not working led so far as you saw to an increase in their quarrels?—Yes. And not only in number. They got' more violent? —I wouldn’t say more violent. Patrick Mullin, a carpenter, said that on returning home from the pictures on March 8 he talked to Sweeney, Burton and Shaw in Shaw’s room. Sweeney said he had a row with Isabella but there was no discussion as to the nature of the trouble. Heard Radio Next morning as the result of what he had heard on the radio, the witness told Sweeney the matter must be more serious than it appeared to be. Sweeney agreed with Mullin that he should go to the police station. As near as Mullin could recall. Sweeney said: “I think I must have done her in” or something like that. The witness had lent Sweeney a shirt at his request although he gave no reason for wanting it. He threw Sweeney’s cardigan into a tub as he noticed it was stained and dirty. Philip Patrick Lynch, a pathologist, said he was called to a house in Sydney street West at midnight and found the body of a middle-aged woman lying in a bed. The woman had multiple stab wounds including eight in the chest. Death was due to massive hemorrhage. A blood test indicated that the woman at the time of her death had had a good deal to drink and to some extent, would have been under the influence of alcohol. Witness, cross-examined by Mr O’Flynn, said the general nature of the wounds suggested they were inflicted in “some degree of frenzy.” Detective Stanley Bennett said he had known Taylor since November, 1959, when she had been living with Sweeney. In November, 1959, Taylor had been taken into custody ahd charged with wounding accused with a knife. Accused had suffered wounds to the front and back of his body and was admitted to Wellington Hospital for at least two nights. Accused's Statement Detective James McPherson Fleming, in depositions read

to the Court said on March 9 he went to the St. George Hotel and found Sweeney drinking with two companions. Accused said: “I know you want me. I know what I have done.” Accused, in a statement had said he was paid off the ship Westralia in 1956 at Auckland and, coming to Wellington, had met Taylor. Accused had said Taylor had been a good wife to him but she had “gone to the pack.’’ Taylor had occasionally left him and stayed away a few nights or weeks. She had left him tw-o weeks previously while they were living on the Terrace and had told him she was living in Sydney street. On March 8. according to the statement, accused bought three bottles of “plonk" and half a bottle of brandy which he took “home.” He had then bought two more bottles of liquor and sat in the kitchen drinking it. Accused had said he asked Taylor to come home with him and she had said she would give him a last chance. Taylor subsequently said she would not return. Accused had added: "I asked her if she was coming home. When she said she would not I got the knife from the table and came back to her and that was that." The hearing will continue tomorrow.