ALLEGED MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1932, Page 2

ALLEGED MURDER

TRIAL AT WANGANUI. FURTHER EVIDENCE TAKEN. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WANGANUI, February In the Donaldson alleged murder ease, Brian Hector George Brewer, who lived next door to the scene of the tragedy, deposed that on the night of the happening he heard a woman scream and then a woman’s voice say: “Wash that knife!” "Witness got up, and from his kitchen window he saw Donaldson staggering out of the house. He more or less gurgled out: “God, get a doctor!” To counsel for accused: “"Witness was sure the woman used the words, ‘wash that knife,’ and not ‘watcii that knife.’ ”

Airs Jean Florence Brewer, wife of the previous witness, said she had had a conversation with the accused about six o’clock on the evening of the tragedy. The accused asked witness, who had been to the beach, if •she had seen anything of her husband. The accused seemed angry, and said that Alf had been out since 8 o’clock. He would he in for it when he came home. Witness corroborated her lulsband’& evidence regarding Donaldson’s rushing from the house and calling for a doctor. . To Counsel for accused: “She had visited the accused in August last, in her bedroom. The accused was crying. Her face wa<s swollen and there were bruises on her thighs, and marks round her throat.” Counsel: I want to know if on any other occasion you heard a,n altercation between Donaldson and his wife. "Witness: Often. Witness added that on one occasion she heard Mrs Donaldson say: “You are not a man to hit me, and kick a woman out.” To the Crown: “At these quarrels Airs Dnnahlson's voice seemed to predominate. The Crown : You sav she is u good housekeeper. What was she like temperamentally ? Witness: I think she had a bad temper. Airs Margaret Signal another neighhour gave corroborative evidence about Airs Donaldson calling, “Here mother, take this knife and wash it!” AY it ness also detailed other happenings on the niglil < f Ibe tragedy. Alls Donaldson bad come to witness' door and, .'-aid : “I ve murdered All! Look at mv bands! Leonard Ranks wlm lived opposite the scene of Ihe tragedy said he was