Evidence In Charge Of Manslaughter

Chronicle (Levin), 23 March 1949, Page 7

Evidence In Charge Of Manslaughter

BLENHEIM, March 22. ' The Lower Court hearing of tlie charge of manslaughtgr against Aibtfrt Ensor Thompson, aged 43, hotel cook, began before Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.'Al. The prosecution is calling 22 witnesses and the charge relates to a traguoeeurenee at the Terminus Hotel, Picton, on January 22, when Carolijim Jones, aged 57, receivdd a knife wound. ller death occurred the next day, Evidence was given that deceased, wrho was twice divorced, had been, living with accused for about 10 year's. Doctor E. B. W. Smyth said deceasyd had a wound in the abdomen. •While he was examining her at the. hdtel.^c-, eused entered the room and told withcss* that while he was holding ,a shai'p pointed knife in the kitchen , deceased ran towards him on to the knife. Deceased was conscious, said the doctor, and during the discussion of the occprrence never at 'any tinie- indicated tli;if she blamed accused. ~ Mr. Scantlebury, for accused: .Were her remarks indicative of an accidentY Witness: Yes. j The medical evidence relating to the postmortem disclpsed that deceased had died of heart failure. Her heart hau been weakened by rheumatic fever biii death was accelerated by the kiiife .wound and subsequent operation. ' Daniel ^tephen Folev, licensee of the hotel, said he engaged aceused and deceased earlv in -Tanuary as husband an-.l | wif e. They had been satisfactory " m their work and c'dnduct' and they 'seemed | de'eply attached .tb each 'otheT. • " ' I Rose Camage, receptibnist, said f de ceased told her they had been fooiiiig and s)ie had falleii on to the knife. Ac > cused J_atm' stated7 ",It was the' simple.si : t-hing. that could have happeiietl. vtere fooling. " Both accused and^ 'deceased were present-when each refer'red tb tlie incidenf. O j • ' .. . Counsel; Were/i$eused .und. depeas^M on happy terms? - W'itness: .Veiry mticli so. . 8he added that deceasedi did not -Use a single word at any time in- putting, the- blame on accuseid fur"" Whlfl' hap- ' pened. - *• '