JEPSON ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1932, Page 5

JEPSON ON TRIAL

MURDER CHARGE

MEDICAL EVIDENCE HEARD

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Nov. 15,

Dr. J. M. Allen, brain and nerve specialist, continuing his evidence for ; the defence -said as the result of an examination cof accused, and inquiry into his life history, his recollection of events of the morning of September 15th, and his condition at the time of his examination, witness had formed the conclusion that accused had suffered a splitting of the brain, which rendered him incapable, at the time, of knowledge the nature or quality of his acts. In answer to the judge, witness said the accused, so far as witness’ knowledge went, was never oertifiably insane.

At' the Jepson murder trial, the whole day was occupied with medical evidence. Witnesses for the defence agreed that at- no time could Jepson be said to have been certifiably insane. ‘ They agreed there wa s . a possibility that Jepson was subject to dissociation, a diseased condition of the brain, which made it possible for one part of the brain to be unconscious ot the nature and quality of an act, though possibly Jepson was conscious of the actual commission of the acts. Evidence was called by the Crown in rebuttal. It shpwed a sharp conflict of medical opinion as to Jepson’s sanity. Dr Russell, of Wellington, said he was definitely of the opinion that Jepson was sane.

The Crown witnesses said there was similarity between Jepson’s condition at the time of the killing and when he had what had been described as an epileptic fit in the previous November. -Their opinion was that the attack was more probably fainting. The hearing continues to-morrow.