CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3777, 16 November 1907, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH TRAGEDY.

Christchurch, November 14,

The inquest concerning the death of Mrs Annabella Wilson, the victim of the Addington tragedy, was concluded to-day. The only additional evidence taken was that of Dr Marks, who deposed that he had made a post mortem examination of the body of the deceased, and had discovered another bullet wound on the right thigh. The abdomen was almost full of blood, but he was unable to find out the cause, though it must have been caused by a bullet. In one part of the bowel a perforation was visible. He removed a bullet (produced) from the right arm. All the other organs examined were healthy. The cause of death was primarily shock due to the effusion ofblood in the abdomen, the shock being increased by the other injuries. One of the larger blood vessels in the abdomen must have been ruptured. It was remarked that the discovery of this fourth wound accounted for the last of the six empty revolver shells found in the house.

Addressing the jury the coroner said that the only question was whether it would be advisable to adjourn the inquest to ascertain whether the husband will recover. In his opinion the evidence of the husband was not necessary. He could give no further explanation of the cause of death, and he would be under no obligation to answer a single question. It would be his (the coroner’s) first dutj 7 to inform him, should he appear before the jury, that he was under no obligation to answer any question which might have a tendency to incriminate him. No good purpose could be gained by adjourning. The jury had the evidence before them, and could come to a verdict. The only curious thing seemed to be that only one person (Harold Burley) heard any shot fired prior to the deceased going outside the back door of her house. Ain T question as to Wilson’s sanity was not for this jury to consider, as the man was not on his trial, and that would probably be an ingredient in his defence if he were on his trial. All the jury had to consider was the cause of death, and on the evidence before them the only verdict they could return was that deceased was wilfully murdered by her husband, Hans Wilson.

The jury adopted this direction, and returned a verdict accordingly.