PAGET MURDER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 May 1907, Page 2

PAGET MURDER TRIAL.

AN I'XL'SUAL APPLICATOX. Per Tress Association. Wellington, May'2l. An. mgcmcuLs were completed in (ho Knpienu: Court to have an examination made of the. eyes of the prisoner, Claude Paget. The application was made by Mr. Wilfonl, counsel for Hie accused, who said that Dr. BorgheUi had been unable io make a satisfactory examination at the gaol, owing to the insuliiciency of (lie light, though lie had made two alttiinpts. He now desired to have ilie examination completed in his sur-

Afler hearing Dr. Borghetti in support of counsel's statement, His Honor said the application was an extraordinary one. Such an one had never before been made to the Court in a murder case, lie was disinclined to do anything that would prejudice the accused in any possible defence to the serious charge he was being tried upon, and though it was establishing a precedent, he would accede to (lie request, conditional upon the gaoler and two doctors appointed by the Crown (l)rs. Kendall ami dames) 'being present throughout (he proceedings.

THE DEFENCE. PLICA OF EPILII'EIC L\SAX!TT. . ' Per Press Association. Wellington, May 21. In opening the defence, Mr Wilfonl said he intended to prove that Paget suffers from epileptic insanity. Evidence would be given that the father of Pagel's mother died at, Sminysido Asylum from congenital epilepsy. He would show that Paget had been au epileptic from birth; that it had reached an abnormal stage within the last two or three years; that the man had on several occasions attempted suicide; that his mental balance had been disturbed by injury to the head at C'hristchurch; that on one oeeasioa some nine months ago he threw himself out of a high window while in a lit. mas picked up unconscious, and afterwards attempted (o take his life in three, different ways.

At this stage, Paget, who had been looking vacantly about him, fell with a crash on to tho lloor of the dock. He was picked up and seated on a chair, where he remained during the rest of (he afternoon.

Counsel, procecding,said evidence would he called to show tiial accused had also the beginning of optic atrophy, and that he would be stone blind in five years. Mrs Pamela Paget, the prisoner's mother, was then called. She said her father died at Sunnyside. The prisoner was once married, and had two children. Both the children and their mother died during the last three years. Prisoner had become queer and fretful, and he would occasionally leave his work without warning. At these times he would complain of his head. Witness gave evidence in detail of instances of accused's strange behavior at different times.

Other witnesses were called and testified to Paget attempting to take his life, to his generally queer manner, and to injuries he had received to his head. The further hearing was adjourned until to-morrow morning.