ALLEGED MURDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1128, 2 August 1913, Page 2

ALLEGED MURDER.

THE SUNNYSIDE CHARGE.

hearing OPENS. Christchuch, July i. Joseph Martin Chapman, of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, was charged that on July 8, at Christchurch, he murdered Charles Thomas McMeekin.

Elizabeth Jane McMeekin, widow of Charles Thomas McMeekin, stated that her husband’s health generally had been very good. He was committed to the asylum on July 7. A month prior to that he had shown signs of mental weakness. He was never violent.

James Todd, attendant at Sunnyside Mental Hospital, said on Monday, July 8, that Chapman had told him that the patient was kicking up a row and thumping on the door. He indicated McMeekin’s room. Chapman opened McMeekin's door, and McMeekin rushed at Chapman as soon as it was opened. Chapman closed with him, and both fell to the floor. Then Chapman rose, and put McMeekin in a sitting position against the wall. Chapman then delivered two or three severe blows on McMeekin’s chest, and hit him on the jaw twice with bis right and his left hands. McMeekin was in the room up against the wall. McMeekin was then put on the bed by Chapman and witness. McMeekin then was wearing only a flannel. Then Chapman stood over McMeekin and kicked him in the abdomen about three times. Chapman kicked him with the heel of bis boot or shoe. The kicks looked pretty severe. McMeekin kept on saying, “That’s enough ; that will do.”

Cross - examined —Witness said there was a rule that when an attendant saw another ill-treating a patient he had to report it. He knew inquests were held. He did not say anything official until after tne inquest, because he was a bit bewildered with Chapman saying, “sit tight,” and being second in charge at the time of the assault. He had been attendant at the asylum for seven months.

Thomas John Stephens, attendant -at Sunnyside, said that on July 8. while walking along towards the D ward, at about 12.20 p.m., he noticed two attendants, Todd and Chapman, in McMeekin's room. McMeekin was then lying on the bed and Todd was standing at the foot. Chapman was standing over McMeekin, with his foot raised over McMeekin’s abdomen.

James Coaley, attendant, said that on July 8, he relieved Chapman for about thirty minutes. McMeekin was a bit excited at the time, and was knocking at the door of his room. On July 9th, Chapman called him into his room and showed witness the day report book. He was shown a report to the effect that McMeekin made a violent attempt on and Chapman told him to swear to that, and witness told him it was not true, and that the patient had not made any violent attack.

Chief Detective Bishop—Have you seen the report book since ? Witness —I saw it at 8.30 on the following day. Detective Bishop—Was that report in it then.

Witness —I don’t know. Detective Bishop—Was there a page missing. Witness —I don’t know.

Detective Bishop then handed the report book to the Magistrate, remarking that the page between the reports dated July 7 and July 8 had been torn out.

Charles Henry Sykes, night attendant at the hospital, said that on July 8 at 8 o’clock lie relieved Chapman, who told him to be careful; that McMeekin had been lashing out, banging the door and wanting bis clothes and a smoke. Both Chapman and the head attendant at different times told him that be was not to go into McMeekin’s room alone. Chapman said if McMeekin got out the best thing to do was to let one man hold his arms while the other attendant punched him in the stomach. Chapman on one occasion had said to him in dealing with these old men the best thing is to drive your heel into their guts, because we don’t want such cattle here.

doctor’s evidence.

Dr. Westenra, who conducted the post mortem examination, said there were no external marks of violence on the body, but there were a few slight abrasions on the legs and arms. The abdomen was sound and healthy, but at the commencement of the aorta there were signs of disease. The right lung showed signs of hemorrhage.

Similar evidence was given by Dr. Ramsbottom and Dr; Gow, of the hospital staff, the statement being made that if a body Were covered with blankets when the blow was delivered the bruise would not be likely to show.

The charge was reduced to manslaughter, and accused Was committed for trial, bail being himself in and two sureties of £l5O each or one of