MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1928, Page 3

MURDER CHARGE

By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright.

AUCKLAND. May 14. Evidence for the prosecution was j^iveil on the lines of the evidence given in the lower court. The police described how Norgrove came to Poiiiionby Station and said he had killed a woman.

One of tho witnesses was Mavis, daughter of the- dead woman, oil whoso arnvnged wedding: day tli-o crime was .committed. She has isince married. She told her story in a low voice. Opening for the defence, Mr Moody said the defence Would be that accused was insane.

Accused’s brother gave ev deuce as to the early history of accused, and stated that for seven years he had been depressed and melancholy. •Accused’s mother also gave evidence. There was a tense scene when the mother was being crAss examined, accused rising and calling: “You leave my mother alone!” He was greatly affected, and the court was adjourned for a few minutes. f

.Doctor Beatty, formerly Medical Superintendent of Auckland Hospital said he examined accused at the gaol several times. He* formed the opinion that at the time of the offence the accused did not possess the power of forming his own rational judgment. His inability was due to mental disease.

The c-ase was adjourned. AUCKLAND, May 15

The trial of Allan George Norgrove on a murder ■ charge was continued at the Supreme Court to-day. Doctor Beattie was exannned by Mr Meredith (Crown Persecutor). Bee-ail-ing the fact that there had been quarrels between Norgrove and his family, jir Meredith asked —“ Do you suggest ! that when a man acts as Norgrove did, lie was not actuated by anger? Beattie replied—-That may not have been the ease. Mr Meredith—You have heard of his objection to the marriage? _ Norgrovc lrom the dock interjected There was no objection.

Dr Beattie said as far as lie knew

the only objection was as to the people being in the house. Mr Meredith—You have heard, 1 think, that Norgrove objected to firth marrying Mavis. Accused (excitedly, in n loud voice) That’s a lie. Justice McGregor questioned hr Beattie how he arrived at liis conclusions and expressed the opinion that it was a pity Hr Beattie had not heard all the evidence. Dr Beattie—l think 1 heard all the material points. Mr Meredith—Do you suggest that when Korgove picked up the flat-iron

he did not know what he was doing. Dr Beattie —lie knew what he was doing when he picked it up. but I do not know whether he knew what he was doing when he had it in the bedroom. He was gradually working up to a state of dementia preens, a mental malady, which prevents n person having full realisation of his or her acts. Mr Meredith —'When accused struck a person with a Hat iron would lie pot know he was causing mi injury? Dr Beattie—Not in the condition I ||ave described.

Mr Meredith—l am asking you whether Norgrove would not have known lie was hurting somebody when he used the iron as he did? Dr Beattie—Not very well. Mr Meredith—How long do you sug- 1 nest Norgove had been in a condition such as might lead up to the mental condition you suggest? Dr -Beattie —I should think ail Ins 11 At the close of the ease for the defence the Crown called the Superintendents of the Auckland and Pormia Mental Hospitals. They opuuoned that Norgrove was not suffering from any mental disease and was quite capable of knowing wliat. lie was doing when he struck the fatal blow.