WIFE MURDERED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 219, 28 June 1947, Page 5

WIFE MURDERED

HUSBAND’S SUICIDE FOLLOWS CLEMENTS’ INQUEST CONCLUDES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 27. I After being addressed by the Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquest into the deaths of Dr. R. G. Clements anq his fourth v; : fe, the jury found that demerits murdered his wife and then committed felo de se. Dr. Houston committed suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed, was a further finding. In his summing up, the Coroner said that Clements Avas aAvare of the pinpoint pupils of his Avife’s eyes (a sign of morphine poisoning), yet had not draAvn Dr. Holmee’ attention to them. What, if anything, did he have to hide? Did Clements desire to rid himself of his Avit'e? Why did he make large purchases.of morphia sulphate tablets? The Coroner said there was no evidence that Clements would benefit by bis wife’s death or that he Avas without means, or that he planned to acquire part of her estate, to which he Avas legally entitled if she died a natural death, but he warned the jury that the motive was immaterial, if they thought Clements Avilfully caueed his Avife’s death. Dealing Avith Clements’ oavii death, the Coroner said: “Did he realise at the last moment the act which he had committed had become knoAvn to the police? Did he realise that the net Avas closing round him and so, in order to evade the course of IaAV, he took his life as a felon?” Poison “Most Detestable” The Coroner also said he believed the jury hoav would have concluded that Mrs Clements died from morphine poisoning and her death passed from the category of natural causes. He further told the jury that the evidence did not help to direct it on the question of AVhether morphine Avas accidentally administered to Mrs Clements.

The Coroner next reviewed the evidence for and against the possibility of suicide, with associated question of the state of mind of Mrs Clements. He added that there had been no evidence of any financial trouble or any contemplation of suicide. On the question of the possibility of murder, the Coroner told the jury that of all the forms of killing, poison was the most detestable and the least capable of being guarded against by foresight. He added that, if the jury concluded that Mrs Clements Avas murdered, its thoughts must be directed tOAvards her husband, but it was necessary to be fair and just to the memory of Dr. Clements. The Coroner’s jury added a rider that Dr. Houston’s diabetic condition and over-conscientiousness Avere contributing factors to his suicide.