DEELEY COMMITS SUICIDE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 173, 17 April 1920, Page 8

DEELEY COMMITS SUICIDE

WHILE AWAITING TRIAL FOR

MURDER

HANGS HIMSELF WITH SHEET

IN CELL AT 1 TERRACE GAOL

Harry Deeley, who ,tfas arrested in a hay. loft some distance out of Palnierston North on the morning of April'lo on a. charge of murdering Mrs. Alary Etheline Webby, hanged himself in his cell at the Terrace Gaol between seven and eight 'o'clock yesterday morning. Mrs. Webby was found lying dead with her throat cut in a vacant section in Palnierston North on the morning of J.laTch 17, and following the opening ot tho inqiiest investigation:, led to the supposition that the crime was committed by Dt-cley. On March 27 the police issued* a proclamation offering ,£2OO reward for the apprehension of Deeley. On April 10 it was reported to the police that u man answering Deeley's description was on a certain property some distance from Palnierston, and tho police proceeded to the spot and arrested Deeley, who appeared before the Court at Palnierston on . Monday last, and was remanded to. appear again on Tuesday next. In the meantime he was lodgeu in the Terrace Gaol, and on his ■ cell being opened ot 7.50 yesterday he was found hanging, and quite dead. ' The gaol routine is that prisoners aro supplied with their breakfast at 6.50 a.m. and after that are allowed an hour in which to tidy their cells. Nothing unusual was noticed about Deeley, .and certainly nothing to indicate that he proposed taking his life. After breakfast, it appears, Deeley tore up a sheet, broke a small window in tho cell, and attached the end of the sheet to an iron bar. Presumably he then made a ncose, placed it round his neck, and jumped from his bed. The body was removed to the morgue, and an inquest will probably .'be held •to-day. It is understood that no extra precautions are taken in dealing with those awaiting trial for murder. It is only when they have been found guilty and sentenced that such prisoners are specially watched.