DRAMATIC EVIDENCE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 6

DRAMATIC EVIDENCE

Accused’s Defence In Pyjama Girl Case (Received June 28. 1.15 ami.j MELBOURNE, June 27. Antonio Agostini told a dramatic story of a married life spoilt, by jhis wifes drinking'habits and jealousy when he gave evidence today in defence against the charge of having murdered her. As he described his reactions after the shooting tragedy many women witnesses in the court wept. Agostini said his wife’s drinking began soon after their marriage in Sydney, when she also accused him of carrying on with other women. Her behaviour deteriorated after the first six months, and she was very often drunk when he came home at night. She left him many times, but always returned and begged him to forget. Eventually they decided to go to Melbourne, where his wife thought, she would do better away from the Sydney atmosphere, but she again left him and went to Adelaide, but returned. One day she threatened him with a pistol. On the morning of the tragedy he was awakened in bed and found a pistol pressed against his bend. In the struggle which followed the pistol was discharged and his wife collapsed. After the shooting, realizing that his wife was beyond help,-he made two attempts to report to the police, but was unable to bring bimself to make the confession, which threatened to bring his whole life crumbling to ruin. Then he decided to try to hide the body. While carrying it downstairs he tripped. The body crashed to the bottom, and he fell after it, and lost consciousness. When he recovered he saw that his wife's head was badly injured, but he was too terrified and horrified to make a detailed examination. Later he put the body in a bag and placed it in his car and drove to Albury, where ho placed it in a ditch and poured petrol ou it and set it alight. Replying to Mr. Fazio, his counsel. Agostini said that at no time did he deliberately fire a pistol at his wife, nor inflict blows on her head. Describing an interview with the New South Wales Police Commissioner. Mr. Mackay, Agostini said that Mackay often went to R. Maiio's restaurant, where accused was employed as a waiter. When Mackay questioned him at his office he told Agostini that the police had all proofs that the “Pyjama Girl” was his wife. Mackay gave hint a drink of whisky and said u “You must tell me all before it is too late. You may be only charged with manslaughter, and get two years at the most._ You must tell we. You may hang. You can trust me, on my word as a Scotsman." Agostini then began to tell Mackay about the tragedy. During the statement f hey had two more whiskies. The hearing is proceeding.