THE ADDINGTON MURDER. IS WILSON A LUNATIC? THE POINT BEFORE COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 150, 21 December 1907, Page 4

THE ADDINGTON MURDER. IS WILSON A LUNATIC? THE POINT BEFORE COURT.

[BT TELEGRAPH— I'RESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 20th Dec. Hans Wilson, who on 13th November murdered his wife at Addingt'on, and then attempted to commit suicide, was brought before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., this afternoon on a charge of wilful murder. Since the crime was committed Wilson had been in the hospital recovering from his self-inflicted wounds, and when ho appeared in court he was apparently a (physical wreck, and had to sit down. Wilson was, some time before the murder, released from Sunnyside, where he had been committed as a lunatic on account of, his having previously attempted to kill his wife, and a great deal of interest has been taken in the question whether his previous committal as a lunatic affected his position when charged with the second crime. Mr. T. W. Stringer, X.C:, appeared for the Crown. The Magistrate said, that the circumstances were peculiar, because the. accused had been committed as a lunatic prisouer and was subsequently allowed out for a year's probation on the re« commendation of tho Medical Superintendent. Such a proceeding was quite irregnlar, nob being provided for by legislation. The man was not only de jur© bub de facto a lunatic still. Mr. Stringer said that the Criminal Code provided for such a, case, because a man who committed a crime was to be presumed sane till he was proved a lunatic. ' Mr. Bishop said that as tho man was prima facie a lunatic tho depositions should contain a history of the case. Mr. Stringer said that no matter how insane tho man was, or whether he was committed to the asylum before or after the crime, be was still liable to be tried for tho murder. His Worship : Of course, in this caso it is a mere farce. Mr. Slringor : Yes, but in other circumstances it might be quite other than a farce. ' Evidence was then given similar to that tendered at, tho inquest, and lh,o accused wa<3 committed for trial, no application being made for bail.