MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1932, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

ACCUSED GIVES EVIDENCE. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) WANGANUI, February 23. The trial of Elizabeth Grace Donaldson was resumed at the Supreme Court this morning before Justice Ostler. . Accused, giving evidence, said she married Donaldson on May 23., 1925, and lived at Marton, and Wanganui. Site had a holiday at Auckland and came to Wanganui in February, 1927. The following August when she was ill, Donaldson kicked her about the stomach necessitating medical attention. About 18 months ago her husband’s manner changed and his brutality became worse. She loved her husband a n d . .worshipped the ground he walked off. Donaldson on occasions had her down on the bed and nearly choked her. He also put his knee into her stomach. On another occasion he struck her with a piece of lead, poker and broom. Accused said Donaldson told her not to recognise him on the street. He then struck her on the chin and below the ear. On another occasion he threw her against a well and injured her back. At this stage his Honour said the questioning of witness was irrelevant, for no matter how had the character of the man was, it was n« excuse for a wife to stick a knife into his neck. Continuing, the accused said Donaldson told her she was only his housekeeper. On the day of the tragedy, Donaldson left home early. Witness went to look for him at a friend’s place and said she would do something drastic and would leave home. Later, when Donaldson returned, she asked him where he had been all day. His reply was a blow that felled her to the floor. He kicked her on | the thigh, hit her with a shovel and punched her arm. Donaldson picked up a knife and said: “I’ll do for you,” but dropped it. Witness picked up the knife and Donaldson ran out of the hack door. Witness went to shut the door to keep him out, but Donaldson rushed in and ran on to the knife. The hand holding the knife was raised high to shut the bolt on the door. AVitness went for a doctor when she realised that Donaldson was hurt. Accused said she could not recall having used the words “stabbed or murdered,” to any of the neighbours when she went for help. On a previous occasion, Donaldson had threatened to cut her throat. In answer to the Crown, the accused said Donaldson rushed afc her with force at the hack door. She could n : pt : see ;i,n;tjpp.. ylarH_. jsaJapLH Qr he was. standing up straight. He did not say anything.

How did you know in the dark that the knife had caught him, if he did not speak? I knew by the fee], that T must have struck him.'

Dr. Earle, gaol surgeon, described a bruise on accused’s shoulder and a bruise on the hip. The former was consistent with a shovel blow and the latter with a pick. Tliis concluded the defence evidence.