MURDER TRIAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 644, 23 September 1933, Page 5

MURDER TRIAL

(Press Assn.

DOCTOR'S EVIDENCE ACCUSED DENIES ANY RECOLLECTION OF • EVENTS - , "LOVED HIM DEARLY"

, — By Telegraph — Copyright).

Wellington, Friday. The trial of vGeorge Edward James, aged 57, on a charge of murdering Mrs. Cecilia Smith was continued before Mr. (E. Page, S.M., to-day. Dr. Nissen, house surgeon at the hospital, said accused, when admitted at .ahout 2 p.m. on June 30, was conscious, but did not volunteer any answers to questions. Witness did not detect any sign of alcohol in his hreath. With the cxception of a few small cuts on the arms he did not shows signs of violence. Ahout 7 p.m. witness again examined him. Witness asked him ahout his previous condition, and James said he had been worried -over th'e last three weeks and had been suffering from pains over the front of the chest. He said he had had a return of malaria ahout two weeks previously. Witness said he told James that he had ibeen found in the harbour, hut James said he did not recollect how he cam© to be there. The last he rememhered was when he was in Lambton Quay in, the morning and had two or three drinks. Witness said accused subsequently developed mild bronchitis, and was kept in hospital till the chest condition cleared up. He was discharged on July 21 in the custody of the police. Fit to Take Statement. To numerous questions regarding accused's health and demeanour in hospital, witness said there was no striking deviation from, th'e norma!. He appeared normal in bodily health and mind. Witness examined accused before the police interview on July 2. Accused's mind was clear, and he was in a fit state to make a statement. • Description of the Wounds Dr. Lynch, pathologist at the hospital, gave partieulars of the deceased woman's injuries, and said that he was of opinion that they could have been caused by the knife produced. The wounds on th'e hands could have been caused by grabbing a knife and having it withdrawn from the grasp. Death was due to haemorrhage from wounds in the throat. The internal appearance of the dead boy's body

were typieal of death hy drowning. The wounds on the woman's h'ands • and throat wonld not have heen self- - . inflicted. Constable McManus, who guarded the accused while he was in hospital said that he appeared quite rational during that period, but that on one occasion he remarked that he "had been working all day." Loved Him Dearly Constable Rush, who was on similar duty, said that the accused had ; complained of pains in the head. He had broken down when he was told that the child, Joel's body had been , found, saying, "I loved him dearly." He also said that his wife had left everything to her daughter who would not help her. During the past month or two he had of-ten gone hungry as he was getting only 13s 2d a week on relief work. Whenever the doctor visited the accused, his cough seemed to become worse. Detective Sergeant Jarrold said that he had interviewed the accused at the hospital on July 2 in company with • Chief Detective Carroll. Accused said that he last saw Mrs. , Smith and the child, Noel, at Mrs. King's place and that his mind had beend a blank for the- last two days. He said that he had not seen either the woman or the child since he left Mrs. King's, When informed of th? 'death of Mrs. Smith, he said: "I don't remember anything." Mr. Macassey intimated that there were several more witnesses and the hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.