JEPSON ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1932, Page 5

JEPSON ON TRIAL

MURDER CHARGE

ACCUSED’S MENTAL CONDITION.

(Per Prsss Associationr — Copyright.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 14.

At the hearing of the Jepson murder charge, the evidence for the Crown was similar to that given in the Lower Court.

In opening the case for the defence. Mr J. H. Sheat drew attention to the lack of motive. Jepson, he said, was devoted to his family, and yel he had killed them. There was no surer sign of insanity. Jepson had made no att( mpt to escape. The condition existing in his mind at the time the crime was committed was known as “dissociation.” Dr. Allen at the Mental Hospital had diagnosed that' condition Jepson’s mind had split, one-half being unaware of the crime he was committing. One part of his personality had taken charge, and the other was unconscious. In some cases such persons were afterwards unaware of the •occurrences during the period of dissociation. In other cases only the salient features were recalled. Jepson had been up against it for.some time. Sinister ideas sometimes crept into even normal minds, which were strong enough to resist them, but Jepson’s mind had split under the strain. Jepson came of well-to-do parents in England. He had had a good war record, but lie bad always been reserved. Following the war. he married in England the girl whom he had later murdered. There was an unusual coincidence concerning the crime and Jepson’s war service, said counsel. Jepson first went over the top between 6 and 6.30 a.m. on September 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. It was between 6 and 6.30 on September 15, 1932, that he committed this terrible dead.

Numerous witnesses have yet to be called.