CHARGE OF MURDER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 5

CHARGE OF MURDER.

THE ADDINGTON CASE .. ; AN INTERESTING:LEGAL POINT.. (bt .TELEGRArn—ph.ess association.) ' - . ■ . .Christchurch, December'2o. Hans. Wilson, 'who 'tin,. November'l3' murdered his wife at Aldington, and then, attempted to- commit 'suicide, • was -brought before Mr. 11. W. Bishop, S.'Jf., this, afternoon on .a . charge of ■ wilful, murder. . . '. Since. ; the crime was committed .Wilson had been in the hospital recovering, from! his selfinflicted. wounds, • and when he -appeared in Court he,; was . apparently 'a .physical 'wreck and had to. sit. down. , . Wilson was, . somo ... time v ' before tho ',• 'murder, ' .released > from Surinysido,- where, -.he • -had been committed as a 1 lunatic on account-, of liis .having, previously -attempted' to kill his,' wife, and '.a great; deal'of interest has .been taken ,iri\the question whether his previous, committal as a lunatic-affected -his- position when '.charged' with the second crime. • ■ Mr-.- T.;W. Stringer, K.C., appeared' for the/ Crown'.; /...'V,; The Magistrate said that the''circumstances were 'peculiar, because -the. accused r had' been committed as. a. lunatic., prisoner .arid, was subsequently .allowed out for a' year's, probation .'.on the recommendation of . the .Medical Superintendent. - £uch a proceeding was quite irregular, not" being provided for" by , legislation. " The man war, not .only de jure but-de. faoto .a-lunatic,.still. , , Air. Stringer,.said that'the. Criminal code provided;for..such ;a. case, beca,use a.man who committed; a .crime .was.'to be. presumed sane till he was proved a, lunatic. - , ... Air. Bishop - said. that as ,the. man was prima , facie a lunatic the. depositions should contain a'history of the case. ■ ;. ', ' ""Mr.' Stringer' said that, .no'matter how. in-' sane the man was', or whether .he'was committed t.o the . asylum.. before, or /after the crime',, be was' still liable to "be tried for the murder.: ' '." / '■ ] . ' .'' . H-Ts.Worship:' Of course, in this case it*is a. more,'farce. Mr. Stringer: ■ Yes, .but. in'. other .circumstances it might .be quite other than a farce. Evidence was then given 'similar to that' tendered • at ' the inquest, and the accused was ; ..corrimltted for trial, no application being' made,for bail. • ,