MRS. LAKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 8

MRS. LAKEY.

CAUSE OF DEATH.

"SUBMERGED WHILE ALIVE." EXPERT'S CONCLUSION. Evidence of a highly technical nature in which he stated the cause of Mrs. Lakey's death, described blood on various exhibits as human, and identified many bones as human was given last evening by Dr. Gilmour.

Before Dr. Gilmour started his lengthy evidence, Mr. Northcroft mentioned the fact that Dr. Lynch, who is to be called as a witness, was in Court. "At the opening of the hearing all witnesses wero ordered out of Court," said Mr. Northcroft. "I notice that Dr. Lynch is in Court and he, I understand, is to give evidence later." Mr. Wyvern Wilson: Why is that, Mr. Meredith? . Mr. Meredith: I propose to call Dr. Lynch later, and part of the report of the examination of the exhibits is a joint report of Dr. Gilmour and Dr. Lynch. The other part. of Dr. Lynch's evidence is quite independent. I did wish to have Dr. Lynch in Court in respect to the classification of bones. My purpose was to obviate the necessity of recalling him later. Mr. Wilson: I do not think it is right, Mr. Meredith, even if it is necessary to recall the whole of the evidence. Dr. Lynch then left the' Court. Examination of Mrs. Lakey. The post-mortem examination on the body of Mrs. Lakey, .said Dr. Gilmour, was performed by him on October 19. Drs. Macfarlane and Waddell were present. The body was that of a well nourished woman. Rigor mortis had completely passed off: The eyes were congested, both, lips were completely blue and blood was extravasated into the gums. There was a bruise ni£y& on the light half of the upper lip, and an abrasion on the point of the chin. There were two parallel linear scratches, quite superficial,' along the right side of the jaw from the chin to the right angle of the The •lower scratch measured 3% inches.and the'.. upper : 2J inches. The bruising-under the . skin was extensive, deep hemorrhage extending from the angle of, the jaw upward into the muscle of the" temple. Tliere was also an abrasion over, the. angle of the right

Dr. Gilmour said there was a small abrasion on the back of the right elbow and ,-of the left elbow. There was a small abrasion on the left side of the nose. In front of the left knee there was a small bruise. The injuries on the face and elbow were quite fresh. No other injuries were found on the body. Describing the condition of the organs, Dr. Gilmour said the tongue was normal, the windpipe congested, the heart was normal in size, its muscle firm and cf good colour. The valves were healthy and the coronary arteries slightly diseased. The lungs and bronchial tubes were congested. The liver was healthy, spleen slightly congested, but healthy. The stomach had been removed. The first part of the small intestine was healthy, also other internal organs. The skull and vertebrae were normal and uninjured. The brain was normal. The small intestines, kidneys, spleen afid greater part of the liver were put into three jars, each was labelled' and handed to Constable H: Jones for transmission to the Government analyst. Probably Knocked Unconscious. Mr. Meredith: Doctor, we have it in evidence that Mrs. Lakey was found with her body submerged in water. What, in your opinion, was the cause pf Mrs. Lakey's death? —In my opinion death was caused by submersion of the face in water while she was still alive*. In my opinion, prior to that she had received two or more heavy blows to the face. With what result? —With the result tbnl she was probably knocked unconscious Was there env water'in tiie lu:i D <-? — No. They wei'e simply congested. ! ].* that consistent with your view?— Yea, because a person who liad'iecem l p.; knock-out blow would not struggle c ' r take any deep' breaths wlien tlii face was tabmcrged.