DOUBLE INQUEST

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3861, 18 October 1932, Page 6

DOUBLE INQUEST

Old Man and Housekeeper TOM AH AW K ATTACK VERDICT OF INSANITY PATIENT’S HALLUCINATIONS Per Press Association. Auckland, Oct - . 17. The dotildc Inquest concerning the death of George Macfarlane, SO, of Mount Albert, and his housekeeper, Miss Emily Chapiiell, 45, was concluded before Mr. F. K. Hunt, 8.M., to-day. Miss Chappell died In (lie Auckland hospital on October G following an attack made upon her with a tomahawk by Macfarlane. The death of Macfarlane, who after the attack on the woman was found with his throat cut, occurred on October 0. HIS DOCTOR Evidence at the inquest was given by Dr. Aubin. who lmd attended Mactullano. “Macfarlane was treated by me for rheumatic fever which he had previously suffered,” said witness. “Under treatment the rheumatic fever had been cured and for three weeks before October G he seemed to be improving rapidly as far as his general health’was concerned. Nurse Howard was placed iu charge of the patient by me. Maefttrlane was inclined to he a little rambling in his speech tit times, especially tit nights, although during my visits he npiieare 1 quite rational. During the latter few days he had complained to the nurse that his -housekeeper, Miss Chappell, was trying to poison him. and as a precaution I put on another nurse. These nurses were in charge of Macfarlane .on the night of October 5. Macfarlanc had never given any indication that he was suicidal or had uny intention of using violence against any other person.” SET AGAINST HOUSEKEEPER Nurse Greta Howard said Macfarlane was in fairly weak condition and eccentric when she arrived some slays before October G He took a decided set against liis housekeeper and complained that she was poisoning Ills food. THE VERDICT “It is a very sad case,” remarked the Coroner, ul'ter corroborative and medical evidence had been given. “I must lind that this unfortunate woman, Emily Chappell, (lied at the Auckland Hospital on October G, the cause of her death being wounds iu. dieted by a patient, George Mucfarlane, when in a state of insanity, lu connection with Macfarlane, T iind that he committed suicide by cutting his throat while insane.”