Shocking Tragedy.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 132, 3 December 1896, Page 2

Shocking Tragedy.

A MANIAC MURDERS HIS WIFE.

(Per Press Association.) j Wellington, Dee. 2. | A shocking tragedy happened ac Pangatotnra, near Motuekn, last Saturday night. John Groob)', who a fortnight a<4o was released from the Nelson Asylum . on probation ad the request of his wife \ and sons, who undertook to lake caro of j him. At about half«pttst 0 o'clock on Saturday evening ho look nn axe used for cnttinc firewood and Attacked his wife. Mr 9 Grooby was at the time in the act of i drawing bread from the oven. She up- j pnrpnsly held up thu bread tin to ward off the blows, n» ihe tiu was found cut right through. The unfortunile woman was then apparently forced to the ground, and ns «ho lay ther« helpless the maniac kn^lt down and with an axe completed his murderous deed. The whole of the /•onr nnd the sides of the woman's hpod fwsre baaten into a fearful and unrecog nisiMe mnsp. After finishing the deed GiMoby hid the axe outside the house, washed his hands and walked to and fro besides the body. He told one of his sons that, he committed the act with a toiiiih*wk and he subsequent^ said the devil did >t. Grooby's sister, who was clo*o by, heard screams, and rushing in saw her brother chopping at hi? wifo's bfid. Hih fpoke to him but he did not reply nnd slw then sent for help. Tii*" murderf-r was subse-juently arrested by the polico and at the inquest a verdict of wilful murder was returned ajjiinst him. Grooby lias since been brought before the Mn<<:.s!rate'd Oourc and stands remitnded. j The family is well known in the dis> i trict.