SPEARPOINT MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1920, Page 4

SPEARPOINT MURDER

SON COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (PEB PBEBS ASSOCIATION.—OOPVRIOHT.j AUCKLAND, Nov 29. A the Police Court, Frederick Spearpoint aged 23, was charged with the murder of his mother at Henderson. Dr Fullerton gave evidence that when he first saw Mrs Spearpoint, her skull was fractured extensively. The brain was injured, and protruding. Ho was shown a small axe smeared with blood at the back, not on the blade. Janies Spearpoint a labourer, said tlie accused was his stepson. Accused and his mother were on good terms as far as he know. Accused had suffered a good deal from a sore hip. He was sober and always appeared to witness to be sensible and good tempered. Witness was not at home when the tragedy occurred. Joseph Thorn a blacksmith, stated accused came to his shop at 10 o’clock in tlie morning of November 3rd. He was excited and stated “Send for the police, j have killed my mother.” Witness said “Surely you haven’t. Accused replied—“ Yes, I have. It’s true. She’s lying dead on tho floor now.” Frederick Shaw, an apprentice to Thorn corroborated the previous witness.

Constable McLone, who arrested the accused, stated the latter said he had been brought into tlie world with a curse on him. That he asked liis mother at breakfast if she could do anything for him and she replied she wished she had killed him when he was a baby. He added that she was always throwing that up to me. Accused was committed for trial.