The Wairarapa Murder Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 36, 10 August 1895, Page 2

The Wairarapa Murder Case.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, Aug. g. At the murder trial Mr Garvey, gaoler, said Soruervillc was under strict supervision night and clay, becaiise lie noticed there was something about the man that justiiied him in adopting this extreme course. He had not observed any attempt on the part of accused to feign insanity, but he had a strange manner. He had not shown any violence or misconduct. Prisoner, when first in gaol, paused before answering questions. He looked about him, and stared. Prisoner was placed under supervision because he (Garvey) feared he would attempt his own life. The Chief Justice said this evidence showed the man was in his right rniud. Mr Jellicoe said he could quote authorities to show that a suicidal propensity was a symptom of insanity. The Chief Justic : Suicidal propensity for a reason was not so ; suicidal propensity without cause was. Mr Jellicoe : I can satisfy your Honor j that the authorities are all the other i way. His Honor thought there was no ] use in discussing the question then. j Mary Farland, of Palmerston North, | gave evidence as to the queer manner of accused, and the drunken habits of his parents. His elder brother was an idiot. Dr Chappie, who had examined the prisoner, considered the circumstances of the crime strongly indicative of insanity at the time the shot was fired. He had found Somerville dull of comprehensive, very slow in mental processes. In cross-examination the witness said it would not be safe in all cases to say the absence of motive was proof of insanity. Mr Gully quoted the Criminal Code Act and asked whether prisoner was labouring under natural imbecility or disease of the mind to such an extent as to make him incapable of understanding the nature of the Act. Witness did not think so, but the consciousness that the act was wrong was not inconsistent with the loss of self control. The court adjourned at 5 o'clock. There ai % e still several medical witnesses for the defence, so that the case will probably occupy the most of to-morrow.