PAGET MURDER TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 23 May 1907, Page 2

PAGET MURDER TRIAL.

THE MEDICAL TESTIMONY. Per Press Association. Wellington, Hay 22. Ai (he murder trial, Dr. liorghetti, eye specialist, called by counsel for the accused, said he found Paget was sull'cring from oi)lii: atrophy, which meant degeneration of the optic nerve. That was abnormal dilation of the pupil, which was consistent with spinal disorder, and which accompanied the early stages of locomotor ataxia. Optic atrophy was a sign of degeneration of the nervous system. It was possible for atrophy of the optic nerve to be caused by extravasation of blood, due to n blow across the eye. lie did not suggest that accused had optic atrophy lo an extent to suggest any brain'disease. Accused had spinal trouble, and incipient locomotor ataxia, lie also had astigmatism of the eyes, but not myopic astigmatism. Dr. Crosbie. medical superintendent of the Mount View Asylum, said lie was satisfied Paget was ail epileptic.

Counsel. "H.i you believe a man in a | .■lale of epilepsy might even commit nil act without knowing what was taking Wilne-: "I do. lie would have no knowledge and no recollection. Houston, an niithorily, says that murder in an epileptic is ju»t as much a symptom of ■disease as petty larceny was in the. case of general paralysis of the insane. Dr (low, medical superintendent of the Sunnyside Asylum, said he thought accused was suffering from epilepsy. The man was insane and should have betel locked up three or four years ago. Dr Collins said ho liatl come to the conclusion" that accused was an epileptic. This concluded the evidence for the defence. Dr. Kendall, an eye specialist, called .by the Crown, said lie had examined accused's eyes, and found no trace of oplic atrophy. The dilation of his eyes was i not abnormal. It was due to an error of refraction.

Ur. Henry, the gaol surgeon, said he had not noticed anything strikingly peculiar ahout accused

The Court was at this stage adjournec until to-morrow.