PLEA OF INSANITY

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33783, 4 March 1975, Page 2

PLEA OF INSANITY

<*V Z. Press Association

TIMARU, March 3

Two psychiatrists testified today'in the Supreme Court at Timaru that Lindley Kennedy Murray—on trial for the murder of his wife at their Timaru home on January 27—was suffering from psychotic depression and did not understand the nature and quality of what he was doing during the incident.

The 69-year-old retired secondary schoolteacher pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He is charged with the murder of his 67-year-old wife. May Lillian Murray, during the early morning hours of January 27. Mrs Murray’s body was found in bed with severe skull fractures.

Dr L. A. Faigan, the Timaru Hospital pathologist, said her injuries were typical of those caused by repeated blows from a hammer. A hammer was taken by the police from the scene at 19 Hatton Street.

Mr E. W. Unwin, Murray’s defence counsel, said the defence would make no attempt to dispute the basic facts or deny that the tragedy occurred as outlined by the prosecution. But he said the defence would try to show the accused should be found not guilty on the ground of insanity. “He was—and still is—suffering from melancholia, or psychotic depression,” Mr Unwin said.

Dr Leslie Ding, a Christchurch psychiatrist employed as a consultant to the North Canterbury Hospital Board, and Dr Helen Hewland, a Christchurch consultant psychiatrist, gave evidence of Murray’s condition.

Timaru wool.— Greasy wool i was sold at the Timaru auction on February 14 for an average of 88.26 c a kilogram, compared with 138.16 c j a kilogram .at the corresponding sale in 1974.—(P.A.) 7—