THE ASHBURTON TRAGEDY.
FATHER CHARGED WITH MURDERING HIS SON. AN INSANE ACT. , Ashburton, Last Night. In the police court, Robert Tyson Hodgson, of Ashburton, appeared on the charge of murdering his nine-year-old son, Frederick Tyson Hodgson, at Dromore, on December 31. Thomas Hunter, manager of the Farmers' Co-op., said he knew no reason why accused should be worried as far as business was concerned. Accused’s own financial position as far as he gathered, was quite satisfactory. Dr. Commer said that when he met the motor bringing accused to Ashburton, the latter said: “They are charging m.e with something but I don’t, know what.” On examination in the cell, accused was mattering to himself, but did not reply when spoken to. His temperature was normal but his pulse and respiration were above normal —an unusual combination. The next morning witness found accused in a striking attitude muttering “Be brave.” He said lie had murdered the boy, but could give no reason. He could give no account of his movements in the afternoon or' evening, but had a dim recollection of ~ events after the murder. Mr and Mrs Johnston, the latter being accused’s sister-in-law, gave evidence, but had little to add to the story. The Magistrate, as Coroner, returned a verdict that Frederick Tyson Hodgson died due to wounds in the throat, inflicted by his father, Robert Tyson Hodgson, while in a slate of unsound mind. Mr Hunter, for accused, intimated that accused had nothing to say at this stage, and the magistrate committed him for trial at Christchurch.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2835, 17 January 1925, Page 3
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257THE ASHBURTON TRAGEDY. Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2835, 17 January 1925, Page 3
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