CHRISTCHURCH MURDER CASE.
ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. BY TELEGRAPH—I'ItESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, December 20. Hans Wilson, who, on November 13th, murdered his wife at Addington, and then attempted to commit suicide, was brought before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., this afternoon, on a charge of wilful murder. Since the crime was committed: Wilson had been in the hospital re«overing from his self-inflicted wounds, and when he appeared in court he was apparently a physical wreck, and had to sit down. Wilson was some time before the murder released from Sunnyside Asylum, where he had been committed as a lunatic on account of his bavins previously attempted to kill his wife, and a great deal of interest has levin taken in the question whether his previous committal as a lunatic affected his 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 tha medical superintendent. Such a.proceeding was quite irregular, not being provided for by legislation. The man was not only de jure, but de facto, a lunatic still. Mr Stringer said that the ciiminal code provided for such a case, because a man who committed a crime was to be presumed sane till he was proved a lunatic. Mr Rishon said that as the man was prima facie a lunatic the depositions should contain a history of the case. Mr Stringer said that no 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. 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.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9011, 21 December 1907, Page 5
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337CHRISTCHURCH MURDER CASE. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9011, 21 December 1907, Page 5
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