THE HART MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1926, Page 1

THE HART MURDER

MOTHER. NOT GUILTY. COMMITTED TO MENTAL HOSPITAL. [by TJSLEGRAFH —rF.lt TRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, Feb. 10. At the trial of Airs Hart. Dr Tv. Ross, specialist, stated that in his interview with, accused she showed no emotion. When asked what prompted her to do such an act she became petulant, and said she did not know. She acted like a small stubborn child. Witness read a letter she wrote at Seacliffe, which was what one would expect from a small child. Witness concluded that accused was well under the average in intelligence. She did not seem to realise her position and everything pointed to mental disease of some kind or degree. Air Callan, addressing the Court for accused, urged that all the evidence compelled the conclusion that the woman was insane at the time of the commission of the act.

Judge Sim, summing up, said that accused’s statements to the lieigli>ours, “I’ve killed my kids!” and “I .oppose I’ll hang for this,” seemed to udieate that she knew the conseluonces of her act. Her statement to mother neighbour, when she asked vliat they would do with her. also -coined to suggest that she knew what die had done.

The jury, after an absence of twelve minutes, returned a verdict of not guilty, on. the grounds of insanity. The Judge ordered accused to be detained in a mental hospital until the pleasure of the Minister ot Justice is known.