MURDER CHARGE Decision Today On Fitness To Plead

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 15

MURDER CHARGE Decision Today On Fitness To Plead

A decision on whether Kevin James Owen, aged 20, a patient at Sunnyside Hospital, is fit to plead to a charge of murder will be made in the Magistrate’s Court, Christchurch, today by Mr E. A. Lee, S.M.

Owen, who is represented by Mr M. G. L. Loughnan, is charged that he murdered Anthony Culley, an attendant at the hospital, on February S. Evidence was given on Wednesday that Owen had hit Culley over the head with a broom and long handled shovel.

Mr C. M. Roper, with him Mr N. W. Williamson, appeared for the prosecution. Two doctors called by Mr Loughnan < . on Wednesday testified that Owen was unfit to plead. . Yesterday, the police called two doctors to give evidence in rebuttal. . Dr. Patrick Phillip Eric Savage, medical superintend;ent at Lake Alice Hospital, near Marton, said he had examined Owen three times recently, and considered he appreciated what a plea 'meant. “His answers to questions .on this particular charge and his knowledge of the law were quite satisfactory,” said Dr. Savage. “He was able to give a satisfactory account of I Court procedure. ! “Owen told me he did not

consider the charge he was facing as murder, but as manslaughter, as he said he did not intend to kill,” Dr. Savage said. Dr. Savage said he considered Owen was fit to plead and stand trial. Dr. Thomas Wishart Harrison, senior medical officer at Sunnyside, said Owen was capable of following and comprehending the implications of court procedure. “He is c* average intelligence and suffers from no illusions relating to court procedure," said Dr. Harrison.

“He agrees he would get a fair hearing and said he would object if he saw a member of the hospital staff being empanelled as a juror.” The Magistrate then reserved his decision.

Torch Relay.—A torch relay to all Anglican parishes in New Zealand may be held as part of the Samuel Marsden landing anniversary celebrations in December. Members of the Young Anglicans' Organisation would be the 1 runners. '