Murder of wife brings life sentence

Press, 29 June 1987, Page 2

Murder of wife brings life sentence

PA Auckland An Auckland man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife, who .died from stab wounds after a dispute at their flat. Michael Joseph Morgan, aged 32, a leading hand, of Ponsonby, denied a charge of the murder of Mary Howsen on September 13 and an alternative charge of causing her grievous bodily harm. Mr Justice Speight thanked the jury for its careful consideration during a “harrowing” trial. In his closing address for the Crown, Mr Stuart Grieve said Morgan made a “brutal and fatal” series of attacks on the woman, aged 24. There was no dispute

about her death. It was what was in Morgan’s mind at the time of the attack that mattered.

He discounted Morgan’s evidence that his wife admitted having sex with other men, and that her child was fathered by another man.

“I suggest to you that there was no provocation at all,” he told the jury.

Slight cuts to the woman’s forearms and face might have indicated deliberate threats, he said.

Mr Barry Hart, for Morgan, called the trial a story of love, difficulties and ultimate tragedy.

Two Crown medical witnesses differed in crucial evidence about Miss Howsen’s treatment,

he said. Evidence indicated that if she had been treated earlier she might have survived. Regular reports lapsed after she was given a CAT scan and went to the critical-care department of Auckland Hospital.

“I ask you to accept that he did love her and he did love their child,” Mr Hart said. >

. The jury could see the man’s pain as he gave evidence about being told he was not the father of the child he loved, said Mr Hart.

“Something happened. Something snapped, you might think.” He asked the jury to accept that Morgan was provoked and to return a verdict of manslaughter.