HUSBAND FOR TRIAL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 14

HUSBAND FOR TRIAL

Alleged Attempt To Murder Wife

(New Zealand Press Association) WAIROA, April 14.

Cyril James Jelbert, aged 46. shift engineer, of Wairoa, charged with attempting to murder his wife, was today committed for trial in the Supreme Court at Napier by Messrs C. N. Kent and A. E Smith. Justices of the Peace. John Christopher Gallagher said he had known the Jelberts for 14 years. Relations between accused and his wife had deterioated over the last few months. They had continually quarrelled and Mrs Jelbert had left her husband. Witness said Jelbert was a jealous person. To Mr H. W. Dowling, who appeared for accused, Gallagher said Jelbert was a man who provided for nis family and was in love with his wife. He said that in later months accused had to look after their son. Witness said he knew of Mrs Jelbert’s drinking habits and these, together with other domestic disturbances, would cause Jelbert to be distressed. Mrs Jelbert would remain out until the early hours of the morning without her husband knowing where she was. Frederick Clifford Durdy, who had been employed with jelbert. said he knew of Jelbert’s domestic differences. Jelbert was a very distressed man. Senior Sergeant C. Mcßae said that when Jelbert surrendered to the police he said “I have shot my wife.” Accused was in a very emotional state. Jelbert made no statement.

Detective Sergeant W. T. Cook, in answer to Mr Dowling, said that when a search was made of Jelbert’s home two empty wine bottles and a partly empty cherry brandy bottle were found.