MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1932, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

AGAINST MAORI NOT MENTALLY DEVELOPED. (Per Press Association— Copyriijht.)

. w AUCKLAND, Aug. 8. A charge of'murdering George Crewe —an old age pensioner at Ruatangnto, near Whangarei—on dr about 27th, was preferred against Heta Frrl Gardner, a half caste, Maori, aged 151 years, in "tlie Supreme" Court, V - Counsel for the Crown ‘said time perhaps the) most remarkable, fact of the case was that there was no. air of mystery or intricate story jealousies, but that the- accgsed Vas a‘lmlfcaste boy of about 15 £ years. 'The. medical evidence would indicate that' lie was not. fully developed ‘ mentally.

Mr H. M. Buchanan, medical superintendent at Auckland- Mental Hospital, said the accused'told him; lie, had been stabbed in the head with a knife when about .five years old. There was a scar on. liis head, blit an X-jray examination - showed no patholobicnl brain changes.* The accused' was perfectly happy in prison.; His conversation and outlook were .very childish, and it was witness’s opinion »that the lad intellectually was not more than ‘nine or ten years old. Accused . did hot- appreciate -‘liisV position- His gtti« tude could lie . df'.wT.tbod f's one ‘ of cheerful Irresponsibility. lie was definitely feeble-minded. Duncan. 'McDiannld. ..-County surfacemap, described.the finding of the deceased* in his hut"'With wounds on his head.

To Counsel for accused, witness said he beiiCved it' wfls' the: impression ip the neighbourhood .thiit the . deceased had obtained sonic, .money a- few years ago wbfcn lie/ disppesd "of .his interest in a .farm; but lie did fiot tljink ’the impression was that; money was kept in the, hut. '■ Qn two occasions, the last .being Aiizac Day;) witness had seen a small sum, of money, perhaps £lO, in the hub. • Counsel: He encouraged drovers to call at the hut for a cup of tea,, because he Iked, their company ? "Witness:' Yes. /" • ' ; _ _ .a \ Counsel: You will have 'noticed ,iu recent times a great number; of swaggers' and unemployed, tramping through tiiere? -/. :'/-). •/ ’-v ; Witness: Yes. 1 - , , The Hearing. Vos adjourned.