HOTEL MYSTERY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 6

HOTEL MYSTERY

GASHED WRISTS CASE ALLEGED SUICIDE PACT MAN AND WOMAN IN DOCK KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The principals in what has come to be known as the Station Hotel mystery, Francis Leonard Laurie, aged 39, a storeman, Belmont, and his next door neighbour, Mrs. Josephine Norton Laycock, aged 34, appeared in the Police Court to-day before the Magistrate, Mr. F. IT. Levien. Laurie was charged ‘That, on November (>, he attempted to murder Josephine Laycock.” and secondly, “on November 5, ho aided and abetted Beatrice Florence. Rita Laurie io commit suicide."

This second charge against Laurie was preferred for the first time today.

The charge against Mrs. Laycock read: “That on November (i. she aided and abetted Francis Leonard Laurie in the commission of the crime of attempting to murder the said Josephine Norton Laycock." Mr. Trevor Henry appeared for Laurie and Mr. R. S. Burt for Mrs. Laycock. Found in Bedroom Detective-Sergeant Walsh, who has had charge of the investigations from the beginning, conducted the prosecution. Laurie was found with Mrs. Laycock, both with their wrists cut, in an hotel bedroom on November li. Both were admitted to the Auckland Hospital where they remained for some time. Laurie was arrested on his discharge from hospital on November 12 and Mrs. Laycock some days later. A sensation was added to the discovery of the two injured persons when the police investigation revealed later in the morning of November (3 that Laurie’s wife had been found in circumstances that led to the belief that she had committed suicide. She was found dead lying near an open gas oven in the kitchen of her home, all the jets being turned on. Intense public interest was shown in the case to-day, it being noticeable that the great proportion of the inlookers were women.

Police Allegations

Before the evidence was heard. Detective-Sergeant Walsh, .referring to the charge against Mrs. Laycock, said it was really a charge of aiding and abetting in an attempt on her own life.

“The evidence, which will be led, will disclose a suicide pact between tile two accused,” said DetectiveSergeant Walsh. “Of course, Mrs. Laycock is not charged with aiding and abetting the suicide of the wife of the male accused.”

It was agreed that the cases against the two accused should be taken together.

One of the early witnesses, Thomas Audas, a friend of the Laycocks, told of receiving a ring from Mrs. Laycock on November 5, when she said she was leaving her husband. As a result of the telephone conversation, witness went to Laycock’s home. Mrs. Laycock said; “You will not see me again," and added that she had left a letter for her husband which would explain everything.

Drank Poison

Dr. A. IT. Kirker gave evidence of being called to the hotel and described examining Laurie. He said there was a great deal of blood about the room.

After sending for the ambulance witness found the huddled form of a woman lying on the other side of the bed. She was pulseless. Asked what had happened, Laurie replied: “They told me it would work in 20 minutes, but it did not.” Laurie laughted hysterically when told that Mrs. Laycock might need a blood transfusion and said: “She drank a poison. The bottle is over there.” Witness picked up the bottle and asked if the injured woman had taken the lot. Laurie answered: “No, I gave my wife a dose last night at home.” Similar evidence was given by Detective Hamilton, who said that Laurie nad asked him to get in touch with Mrs. Laurie and see if she was all right.

Detective Hunt said that on the way to the hospital in the ambulance, Mrs. Laycock regained consciousness and called “Frank.” Laurie reached out and took her hand and said: “Don’t let them give you a blood transfusion will you?”