MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1932, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

WIFE ON TRIAL. MEDICAL EVIDENCE. I By Telegraph —Per Press Association ) WANGANUI, February 22. The trial of Elizabeth Grace Donaldson, for the murder of Alfred George Donaldson on December 13th. commenced this morning before Justice Ostler. Doctor Anderson said the jugular vein was partially severed. The wound was 1-1 inches deep and the bread knife produced exactly fitted the wound. Cross-examined, witness said the shape of the wound was consistent with the force of a woman’s arm or man, stumbling and falling against the “knife. Witness considered the wound was inflicted by a frontal blow. -~ Doctor Rutherford said considerable force would have been necessary to produce such a wound. The blow must come from behind, over the shoulder. It is 'improbable that it would have been caused by deceased stumbling o,n to the knife. Doctor Reid .said it was decidedly probable that the wound was inflicted from the front. A fatal wound could have been caused by deceased rushing at the accused and falling on to the knife. If the blow had been one of considerable force, it would have completely severed the jugular, the wound would have been longer and deeper and more of the tissues would have been affected.