Woman unfit to plead on murder charge

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 5

Woman unfit to plead on murder charge

PA Timaru A Christchurch woman, aged 38, accused of murdering her sister in Timaru on February 13, was found unfit to plead at a depositions hearing in the Magistrate’s Court, Timaru, yesterday. Heather • Merle Barteling was ordered to be detained in a hospital as a special patient under the Mental Health Act.

She had been charged with the murder of Gloria Margaret Kavanaugh in a Timaru house.

Mrs Kavanaugh died after being stabbed several times in the body.

Her daughter, Suzanne Marie Kavanaugh, also suffered stab wounds and was admitted to hospital.

Medical evidence was given yesterday that the ac-

cused was suffering from chronic paranoid schizophrenia and was not aware l of what she had done, nor could she understand the charge against her. Two psychiatrists said that she would be unable to adequately, instruct 'a solicitor to defend her.

| Agreeing to the submis|sion made by Mr T. M. Gresson for the Crown, Mr I. Hay, S.M., said he was satisfied the accused was under a disability.

He said it was a matter of great regret to the family of the accused and the deceased that the proceedings had been necessary, and he .expressed sympathy to it.

The medical evidence was called by the Crown and Mr Gresson said it was not proposed to call any other evidence relating to the charge.