CHARGE OF MURDER.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16363, 7 November 1918, Page 10

CHARGE OF MURDER.

CASE AGAINST A HALF-CASTE. (press association* telegram.) DARGAVILLE, November 6. The adjourned case of Edward Campbell, a half-caste Maori, who is charged with the murder of his wife at Oroa, on or about July 19th, was re-opened to-day before Mr Hunt, S.M, Sergeant Griffiths prosecuted, and the prisoner was defended by Mr D. L. Ross. _ Dr. Beattie, Superintendent of Avondale Mental Hospital, gave evidence that accused, who had been admitted to the hospital, told him on two occasions that ho nad put his wife in the river and had drowned hor. Ho had arrived at tho conclusion that accused was not insane. Constable Boag deposed that he. had arrested accused as a mental defective, and that on two occasions accused declared that he had drowned his -wife. At the time of the arrest, the condition of the accused warranted hiiji TJeing regarded as a mental defective. Considerable other evidence was tendered. showing that accused Ba3 Tieen in the company of some of the witnesses at the time the murder was alleged to have been committed. The hearing of the case was not concluded.