THE INQUEST.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12350, 14 November 1905, Page 3

THE INQUEST.

The particulars adduced at the inquest (held at the Ashburton Hosnital before Mr Robert Alcorn, ."T.P.), on the victims of the tragedy in th«i»fteniooa were mainly corroborative of those given above. The girl Lucy Vesey said that she liad been staying with Mjb Lee for about two months, and that Esprey did no work as-far aa she knew. She gave no evidence, however, that Mrs Lee had spoken to her about Eaprey'a attentions. It was after Esprey had fired the first shot at Mm Lee that he # declared he would shoot Mia. Vesey "if she did not clear oat." Mary Alice Harris, wife of Edward Hanrifi, who resides ih Oox street, where the shooting took plaoe, gave lengthy evidence about the previous relations of the parties. < She said the two deoeased were not «n j*ood terms with eaoh other since the death of Mr Leo. On one occasion recently he told wit-note that she had ruined his life. Mrs Harris advised him to go away from tho district, hut ho said he would not leave till he bad had revenge. Ho also complained that his victim had been, .telling the poHce that he wanted to sbcot b«r. "I'll put a bullet into her and one into myself,'' he afterwards declared with some vehemence. Evidence was also given by James Smith, also residing in Cox street, the Police, and Dr. Hunter. The jury returned verdicts to tho effcat that "Catherine Nellie Leo.was murdered by being shot by James Esprey,.on November 12th, 1905," and that "Jainrs Esprey committed suicide by shooting himself with a revolver."