CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1919, Page 5

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED MURDER.

EX-SOLDIER ATTACKS HIS WIFE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Supreme Court John Jame3 Joseph Lee was charged with having attempted the murder of hia wife, Olive Alicia Lee, on February 27. Mr. Macasspy, who prosecuted on behalf 01 the Crown, said accused had been on service in Samoa, and upon his return married his present wife. He then went again on active service, and upon his return in March, 1918, made accusations against his wife—accusations, said Mr. Macassey, which were absolutely without foundation. While his wife was ill accused treated her with consideration, but at other times he displayed great jealousy, Ultimately his wife decided to leave him, and instituted proceedings with the idea of securing legal separation. The actual offence was alleged to have taken place .in Constable Street, when he was in conversation with his wife in the doorway, and was said to have cut her about the throat, face and hands with a razor.

Olive Alicia gave evidence as to her relations with accused, who, she said, was very suspicious of her, and made her a perfect prisoner. He made grave and absolutely untrue allegations against her, so ultimately she left him, as she thought he waß insane. In all, she left him three tunes. On one occasion Lee said he would never let her get out of his house alive if she attempted to leave him, and if she did get away he would "do for" her in the end, as he would follow her all over New Zealand. Also, he said, if Bhe did not go to her mother's house he would be quite different to her. Counsel for defence called to witnesses. He said the effects of an illness suffered by Lee and the hardships he Jiad endured had resulted in his mind becoming distracted and unhinged. This, in conjunction with the domestic troubles, had made him irritable, and possibly unreasonable. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of wounding against prisoner, who was remanded till Saturday for sentence.