MURDER OF A GIRL

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 85, 10 April 1917, Page 3

MURDER OF A GIRL

INQUEST ON THE VICTIM

(JY. IBLEGBAPH.—PKESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 9th April.

At the inquest on Henrietta Foster, the victim' of 'the Mount View murder, Mr. Bailey, S.M., returned a verdict that the cause of death was syncope, following on the throat of the girl having been cut, and that the evidence pointed to the fact that the act was committed oy Charles Butler • ...

Dr. Bagley gave evidence that three ant) a half weeks ■ ago Butler consulted him" about his mental condition, and witness sent him to Christchurcli.

The Coroner pointed out that this evidence cOjUld only be taken at the subsequent proceedings.

Miss Foster was engaged. to a resident of Lytteltoii; Butler was apparently jeolous, and stated to some people, including the girl's father: "I will get Hi?tty yet." When Butler reached the View Kill Post, Office at raid-day on Sunday, he' said, to a resident: "I've done ior Httty Foster." ' , ■ '

In reply to a question, Butler repeated ,his remark. There was blood on Bailer's right hand, shirt, collar, and caff.; He was very excited. He told this witness that- he had tried to do away with h'ln self by. getting into a-well,. "but there was not water enough to drown him. :." Butler told the constable,' who arrived, shortly afterwards : "I'm done ! I'm done ! 11,I 1, killed Hetty Foster." The constable who examined the body said "that there were no signs of a struggle. An open razor, covered' with , blood, was found near the. body, and beside the razor was a piece of paper on .which was written: "You will find my body in a well over the river." The^ girl was in bed when her parents left to go to church. The evidence show- 1 ed that she had got up late, and had got Butler's breakfast. Presunmbly ' they breakfasted .together.