MOTHER SHOT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1931, Page 2

MOTHER SHOT

BY INSANE SON. (By Telegraph —Ter Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, April 5. Arthur Charles Knight, aged 21 years, .shot his mother, Mrs Kate Knight, aged 57 years at her home in St. Albans Street, at 10.40 o’clock last night, and then, placing the muzzel of a shot gun in his mouth, Tiee shot himself dead. Knight was injured in a motor cycle collision in 1929, losing his foot from the ankle, and suffering paralysis of the right arm. He became very depressed, owing to his physical condition and was committed to Sunnyside Mental Hospital on April 9, 1930, and until December 1930, he was treated at the Institution. On December 10th his mother applied for a discharge as she thought that he was doing well This was not granted, but he was released on probation for six months to live with his mother. Knight was left at home on Saturday night while his mother ail'd Tier two sisters, Mrs E, M. Inwood, who was oil a holiday visit, and Margaret (the latter of whom lived with Mrs Knight) went out for the evening, They returned home about 10.40, Mrs Knight went towards th c kitchen to prepares supper, As she reached the kitchen door, Knight in the dark fired at her ,inflicting terrible injuries. She fell dying to the floor. Airs 111 wood, who had followed her sister/ rushed forward and Knight shot at her ,but lie missed her.

Mrs Inwood then rushed at Knight, but bo retreated through the kitchen door and locked it. Then he shot himself.

Mrs Knight spoke to her sister, but she died in a few minutes.

After the inquest to-day the verdict was returned that Mrs Kat o Kniglit died of a gunshot wound, inflicted by Arthur Charles Knight, when he was insane ; • and that Arthur Charles Knight died from a gunshot wound self-inflicted when insane. Mr H. A. Young was the Coroner. In her evidence, Airs Inwood said that Airs Knight was a very loving and devoted mother, who held to the belief that her boy was recovering. Her son had his meals alone. Ho rarely spoke to his mother. Her sisters were afraid of him, especially on his bad days. The gun was a prized possession of the young man before the accident, and lie rvns very fond ot shooting. Airs Knight had said tim: she allowed the gun to remain in the boy’s room because it pleased him to have it there. She had previously burned nil the cartridges.

Dr. McKillop. Superintendent of Sunnyside Mental Hospital, said the mother hud been warned that Kniglit might commit suicide if he became depressed. There was no evidence of a homicidal tendency.