BEASLEY TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1930, Page 3

BEASLEY TRAGEDY

VERDICT OF INSANITY.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, March 13.

Verdicts that Mrs. Agnes Beasley died on February 19 as the result of Wounds inflicted by William Potter, While'he was temporarily insane, and that Potter, who died at the Auckland Hospital on the following day, committed suicide while of unsound mind, were returned by Mr. Hunt, S.M., Coroner, at the ihquest into the double tragedy in Foch Avenue. John Frederick Beasley said that he was married in 1919 j and there were three children, aged 9, 7 and ‘6 years. The family had been living in Foch Avenue for two years, and Potter, who had been an hotel porter, was living with them. He described in detail the discovery of his wife lying dead and finding Potter in another room with gashes in his throat and chest. He said to Potter: “Can you tell me who has done this?” but Potter could not reply, although he tried to speak and made gestures, pointing to his head and holding his head in his hands. Witness did not notice anything wrong in Potter’s manner. Potter was very friendly to him and to his wife and children. He had no suspicion in the matter.

Mrs. Nicholls, a neighbour, said Potter appeared to be peculiar and morbid at times, and on several occasions she had been sitting on the back door step, holding his head between his hands and refusing to speak to anyone.

Detective O’Sullivan said that in the room where -Mrs. Beasley was found, he discovered a bar and link of a watchchain, identified as belonging to Patter’s watch chain. There were signs of a struggle in the room. “It is very fortunate for all of us; that- Potter committed suicyde after; his act,” said the Coroner, in returning,, the verdict >