VICTIM’S HABITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26623, 20 November 1947, Page 10

VICTIM’S HABITS

Neighbours Give Evidence in Rusden Murder Case P.A. AUCKLAND, Nov. 19. A further 12 witnesses gave evidence during the third day of the trial of Mrs Pansy Louise Frances Haskell, aged 49, a domestic, in the Supreme Court to-day. The accused is charged with the murder of Mrs Gladys Ruth Rusden at her home at 37 Horotutu road, One Tree Hill, on June 5. Neighbours of the Rusden household, together with a milk roundsman, a bread carter and a postman, described Mrs Rusden’s habits on the last occasions on which they had seen her and on the time of their deliveries to her home on the morning of the murder. Lengthier evidence came from a detective sergeant who outlined the investigations at the scene of the tragedy and the pathologist who made a detailed examination of the body and estimated the time of the attack and subsequent death. Both these witnesses were extensively cross-examined.

Between 25 and 30 witnesses are still to be called by the Crown. The case is being heard before Mr Justice Callan, with Mr V. R. Meredith and Mr G. D. Speight representing the Crown and Mr M. Robinson and Mr N. J. Shieff appearing for the accused. The first witness was William Sim, a factory hand, who said that on the evening of the murder Rusden called at witness’s house, and then returned to his own home to climb up a plank through the window. When he first called, Rusden appeared, normal, but dazed when he came bach later. Victim of Nervous Disorder Dr R. WagstafT said Mrs Rusden had been a patient of his, mostly concerning nervous stability. He examined the body superficially, and came to the conclusion that death occurred several hours before. Questioned by Mr Robinson for the defence, witness said Mrs Rusden had undergone a series of major operations before he treated her. There was a very general improvement in her health up to March, 1946, which was v/hen she was assaulted. On the evening of the tragedy it was Rusden who pointed out that 'the door was locked, and Rusden who told him the bed had not been completely made. Dr WagstafT said that in his opinion Mrs Rusden died some time in the morning. There were pools of blood on the floor. Referring to the assault on Mrs Rusden in March, 1946, witness said she had bruises in the region of the neck. Her injuries were caused probably by an attempt to choke her. He thought there had been considerable pressure. Mrs Ella Jane Elizabeth Kitson testified that when she went to the front door Mrs Rusden would come to the door with a nervous look and hide halfway behind the door. She was nervous. When witness went to Mrs Rusden’s house she would always call out her own name, and then Mrs Rusden would open the door. Witness said she heard Mrs Rusden cough on the morning of the murder. There was only one. cough, although it was usual for Mrs Rusden to have a series of coughs. She knew Mrs

Rusden's cough, which was high pitched. The next witness, Detective Sergeant Ja/nes Bain McLean, produced a red dresing gown and pyjamas which the deceased was wearing. They were stained with blood. A screwed-up blood-saturated handkerchief was also found in the kitchenette, witness stated. He described blood marks in various parts of the kitchenette, and a cigarette that had burned out. A burn on a tray suggested that Mrs Rusden was smoking while doing her work. There were no signs of any disarrangement in the house. Witness added that the only other blood found anywhere in the house was a dab on the inside of the right jamb of the front door. Witness went on to relate the time taken to travel from the corner of Kowhatu road and Campbell road to Mrs Haskell’s home in Newton road at a leisurely pace. At the time of the murder a hedge in front of the Rusden home was sft 7in in height. Dr Walter Gilmour, pathologist, said that from bloodstains on the floor of the kitchenette he came to the conclusion that the body must have originally been lying with the head under a drop-leaf table. When he saw it the head was on the opposite side of the kitchenette. It seemed to him that the body had been pulled around. There was evidence that someone had pulled it through blood on the floor. The head showed five groups of wounds, one on each ear, two on the left side of the forehead and one on the right side. The deceased woman’s face was swollen and bruised, indicating that she had survived the attack for some time. He thought it might easily have been from half an hour to an hour. The cause of death was hemorrhage and injury to the brain. Witness came to the conclusion that death had occurred somewhat less than eight hours previously, probably between 11 o’clock and 12 o’clock. Cross-examined by Mr Robinson, witness said that from the degree of rigor mortis present in the body it was possible, but very unlikely, that death had occurred up to 12 hours before his examination. In cases of head injury it was very difficult to estimate how long a person would live. Time of Assault Mr Robinson: An attempt at fixing the time the blow was delivered is speculation of the most indefinite kind from the medical point of view?—Witness: Yes, it is indefinite. Mr Robinson: Then it could have been delivered at 7 o’clock in the morning.—Witness: I believe it could have been delivered at about that time. Mr Meredith: <lf the blows at the back of Mrs Rusden’s ears and on her face had been delivered at 7 o’clock would she have been able to get-her milk after that?—Witness: No. The effect would be almost certain to render her unconscious. Robert Victor Craig, a milk vendor, said he left milk for the Rusdens at 7.20 a.m. He did not see anyone about the house. Mrs Rusden came out every week or a fortnight in a red dressing gown to pay him. A former baker’s roundsman, Albert Edward Clayton, said he left half a loaf at the Rusdens’ gate at about 7.45 a.m. on June 5. The money was usually in the box, but it was not there that day. Mrs Beatrice Maud Bernhard, formerly employed as a nurse at Waitemata Breweries, Otahuhu, said she saw Rusden board the brewery bus at the Harp of Erin about 7.35 a.m. on the day of the tragedy. She spoke to him and there was nothing unusual about his conduct. The assistant works manager at the brewery, Clifford Cave Whatford Way produced a time card showing that Rusden clocked in at 6.34 a.m. on June 5. Witness said this would actually be 7.34, as the electric clock had stopped for an hour during the power cut. Rusden had clocked out at what looked like 4.49 p.m. A fellow worker, Hugh Stewart, said he did not notice Rusden being absent from work for any length of time that day. The hearing will be continued tomorrow.