WIFE MUEDER.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2854, 8 April 1878, Page 2

WIFE MUEDER.

' " A shocking tragedy," states tbe^S. A. Register, "was enacted in the vicinity : of Port Adelaide on Tuesday morning, March 12. Jonathan Prest, a carpenter, about 49 years of age, after being charged by .his wife at the Port Adelaide Police Court with, assaulting her, left bis work, went home, and struck her with a pair of I tongs, death-being almost instantaneous. It appeared that Prest and his .wife had not been on amicable terms for some years past. Domestic quarrels were of frequent occurrence, and occasionally he maltreated her, and recently in a spirit of jealousy called her a foul name. On Thursday, 7th inst., he • came home 1 drunk and assaulted his wife, for which deceased instituted proceedings against him at the police court. The case was partly heard on Saturday, the 9th inst., and postponed till the following Tuesday, when it was again adjourned in order to allow the unhappy couple to settle their differences in the interval. On reluming home between 11 and 12 o'clock .that morning Prest, addressing his wife, who was engaged irouing linen in the kitchen, said, • You won't appear against ma again on Thursday, will you', Mary P' To this the deceased replied, ' I must do so, as you have pleaded guilty.' Prest making no response she continued, * And ■besides, I'll defy you to call me the names you did last week.' Upon this he seised -a pair of tongs, with which he struck her on the head. The- daughter, Elizabeth F.est, aged 16, interfered! rad tried to i wrest (he tongs from her father's hf*)da* but not being able to do so she rushed into the street and sailed loudly for assistance. When she again reached the kitchen, a few moments afterwards her I mother was lyinc on the floor, life being jextincl. Prest left the house immediately, land proceeded to Mr Williams's, a carpen;ter. where he was employed. Remarking that ha was going to drown himself, he put on his coat and walked in the direction of the river. He was arrested by Police constable Carson, and on being taken to the station he said he had 'assaulted his wife for the last lime,' as she was dead. Prest was - present at the opening of the inquiry on Tuesday afternoon, and appeared to realise his position Tery keenly. The deceased woman bore an excellent character for respectability, and is spoken of in hijjh terms by her neighbors. The sons fill good positions-in the Port." At the inquest a verdict of wilful murder was returned.