WORRIED ABOUT ILL-HEALTH

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 228, 23 June 1936, Page 13

WORRIED ABOUT ILL-HEALTH

Crown Prosecutor’s Death

VERDICT OF SUICIDE RETURNED

In returning a verdict of suicide at the inquest yesterday on Mr. Percy Seaborn Kettle Macassey, late Crown prosecutor ah Wellington, who was found dead in his office at the Supreme Court on Thursday, the coroner, Mr E. Gilbertson, stated: “I gather from the evidence adduced that Mr. Macassey had been in ill-health for some time and he was suffering from an affection of the ear which seriously affected his hearing. He must have brooded on his deafness, which he reasonably feared would prejudice his career as Crown prosecutor. His na tural anxiety culminated in an uncontrollable impulse to end it, and so led him to commit the fatal incident which terminated his life.”

Charles Evans-Scott, of Menteath, Ward, Alacassey and Evans-Scott, of which firm Mr. Macassey was a partner, said in the course of his- evidepce that Mr. Macassey had recently been working hard in the preparation of the case against McArthur. “In my opinion,” said Mr. Evans-Scott, “one of the causes of Mr. Macassey’s action was that he could not see the case through.” \ Detective-Sergeant L. Revell appeared for the police. Dr. Alister L. Young stated that the police called him to Mr. Evans-Scott’s office at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday last. From there he went with detectives and Mr. Evans-Scott to the Crown prosecutor’s office at the Supreme Court, where he found Mr. Macassey dead. There was a small wound near the centre of the forehead and a rifle in deceased’s hands: Death had evidently occurred some hours previously, and the appearances were consistent with the wound being self-inflicted. His brother had been in iU.-hea.irh for some years, said James Ernest Macassey, company manager, St. Clair, Dunedin. Lately his brother consulted a doctor, who had informed him he would have to undergo an operation for what he believed to be an abscess or ulcer in the.head. He noticed his brother’s condition of health worried him unusually and was affecting bis hearing. He last saw his brother alive at 10.30 a.in. on Thursday when he came away from the Supreme Court, proceeded Mr. Macassey. They talked for half-an-hour and his brother appeared depressed and worried. “I was alarmed at his mental and physical condition,” said witness. Did Not Keep Appointment. Mr. Macassey said that he arranged to meet'his brother at 4.30 p.m. to talk things over, but his brother did not keep the appointment and did not come home as usual. He communicated with Mr. Evans-Scott and they found him dead at the Supreme Court. His brother was aged 61, and was a married man with a wife and daughter. “I am quite satisfied that be committed suicide by shooting himself while in a state of unsound mind brought about by worry,” he concluded. The coroner: Did you notice his deafness increasing?—“Yes.” And getting rapidly worse?—“Yes, lie complained of it.

Did you ever hear him threaten to commit suicide?—“Never.” Air. Evans-Scott said Air. Macassey had not been in good health for a few years, and, within three weeks before his death, consulted a doctor regarding trouble with his hearing and pain in his ears. Air. Alacessey had informed his family t'hat the doctors stated he had some growth in ills forehead which was causing trouble, and the only remedy would be an operation, and that at the same time the doctors told him (Mr. Macassey) that, owing to his stat<e of health, he was not prepared to operate. Airs. Macassey told him this worried her husband considerably. Mr. EvansScott, in conclusion, said he was satisfied Mr. Alacassey committed suicide while in a state of unsound miud due to worry over his health. Tlie rifie found in deceased’s hands was a J 22 single shot, and in a pocket of Mr. Alacassey’s coat he found 36 .22 long cartridges similar to the cartridge shell found in the rifie breech, said Detective AV. AlcLennan. There was also a se’aled letter addressed to Airs. Alacessey in one of her husband's pockets. This intimated Mr Macassey’s intention to end his life. Air. Alacassey bought the rifle at a shop in Lambton Quay the day before his death and registered it at the Arms Office the same day. The certificate of • registration was found on Sir. Macassey. Detective AlcLennan said he knew personally Mr. Macassey’s deafness was becoming worse- during the last two or three years.

The coroner: I take it that would be a serious drawback in conducting bis cases?—“Yes.” A verdict of suicide while mentally depressed was returned.