THE ADDINGTON MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 301, 21 December 1907, Page 2

THE ADDINGTON MURDER.

AN INTEKESTIXU CASE. Per Press Association. Christclmreh, Lit.il Night. Jlaus Wilson, whu on J.'llli November murdered his wife at Addinglon and liien attempted to commit suicide, was \ brought before Air. 11. W. Bislmp, S.M., \ this afternoon, on a charge of wilful i murder. Since the crime was committed, Wilson luul been in the hospital recovering from his self-inllictcd wounds, and when he appeared in Court he was apparently a physical wreck, and hail to sit down. Wilson was, some time before the murder, released from Sunnyside, where he had been committed as a lunatic on account of his having previously attempted to kill his wife, and a groat deal of interest has been taken in the question whether his previous committal as a lunatic affected bin position when charged with the second crime. Mr. T. W. Stringer, K.C., appeared for the Crown. The Magistrate said that the circumstances were peculiar, because the accused had been committed'as a lunatic prisoner, and was subsequently allowed out for a year's probation on the recommendation of the Medical Superintendent. Such a proceeding was quite irregular, not being provided for by legislation. The man was not only do jure, but.de facto a lunatic still. Mr. Stringer «aid that tlte crimiual code provided for such a case, because a man who committed a crime was to be ! presumed sane till he was proved lunatic. Mr. Bishop: As the man was prima facie a lunatic, the depositions should contain a history of the case. .Mr. Stringer said that 110 matter how insane the man was, or whether he was committed to the asylum before or after the crime, he was still liable to be tried for the murder. His Worship: Of course, in this case it is a mere farce. i Mr. Stringer: Yes* but in other circumstances it might be quite other than a farce. Evidence was then given similar to that tendered at the inquest, and the accused was committed for trial, no application being made for bail.