DOUBLE MURDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1942, Page 2

DOUBLE MURDER

THE NAPIER TRAGEDY CHARGES AGAINST CAMPBELL. EVIDENCE OF INSANITY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, November 25. In the Napier Magistrate’s Court this morning, David John Campbell, timber worker, aged 20, was charged with on October 21'at Napier murdering Mavis Esther Campbell and Maude Campbell, respectively his mother and grandmother. He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Dr. Berry stated that he had had previous experience with accused,, and thought that accused should be certified as insane.

Dr. J. J. Foley, medical superintendent at the Napier Hospital, gave evidence that he had come to the conclusion that accused was a case for an institute other than a general public hospital. \ Janet Glen Campbell, aged 15, said she lived with her mother and grandmother and brother (accused). Witness was home on October 21. She saw accused go out of the back door and return carrying something. A few minutes later witness heard her mother scream. Witness rushed upstairs and went into a bedroom, being preceded by her grandmother. Accused was striking witness’s 'mother and then struck witness’s grandmother and later menaced witness with the object he was holding. Accused _ then went out of the bedroom and witness went for help. The father of accused, Alexander Colin Le G. Campbell, a member of the military forces, stated that about two years ago accused showed signs of mental trouble and had been in an institution for about nine months. When accused returned from Porirua Mental Hospital, his mental condition was not good, and because of this condition it was necessary for witness and his wife to help him wash and dress. Witness said accused was never allowed out by himself.