MURDER CHARGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 8

MURDER CHARGE

WATERSIDER’S WIFE ACCUSED DISPUTE IN FLAT [per press association.] WELLINGTON, December 4. Jean Laurentine, 31, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court with the murder of her husband, Francis Norman Laurentine, 37,\watersider, by stabbing-him on November 2. He was taken about 7.30 p.m. from the flat they occupied in Willis Street, suffering from knife wounds, and he died in hospital at 8.50 p.m; Mr Stout, S.M., was on the Bench. The ActingCrown Prosecutor, Mr W. R. Birks, conducted the prosecution. Dr. Mazengarb and Mr N. T. Gillespie appeared for the defence. Photographs and plans were produced by Senior-Sergeant Dinne,' fingerprint expert and photographer, in charge of the Criminal Registration Branch. - ' Hira Rob. Roy Avery, occupying the adjoining flat, said that Laurentines came home between 7 and 7.1 a o’clock. Both were very much under the influence of liquor. He paid Lauirentine the rent, and returned to his flat.. He heard from the Laurentine s flat “a proper argument” between Laurentine and his wife, .and turned up his wireless, but could still hear the voices. After seven or ’eight minutes, Mrs Laurentine came to the door and said, “Quick, Mr Avery. Get the doctor. I’ve stabbed Laurie.” Witnes went immediately to Laurentine s kitchen, and found Laurentine halllying or sitting in a corner. There was blood on the floor. He went to get assistance, and stopped a passing ambulance, which came to the house. Mrs Laurentine was still in the kitchen. She. asked where the doctor was, and “was in a very hysterical state of mind.” She was very much under the influence of liquor. The ambulance driver asked how it happened. and she replied, “There was a fight. He hit me, and I stabbed him. She turned to witness and said, “You know I would not do it deliberately, Mr Avery.” She went in the ambulance with her husband. In cross-examination, witness said he had known the couple for about 15 months. She was. most devoted to her husband, and he was fond of her. He was somewhat addicted to liQUor, and used to have drinking bouts, which he got very ill, and she would nurse him back to health. They had been to the races at Hutt Park, on November 2. Dr. E. M. Griffin said that Mrs. Laurentine was rather much undei the influence of liquor. A lot of blood was on her hands, arms, knees and legs. Her only injuries were recent lumps on the head, a recent weal on the left arm and another on the back. Her clothing was not torn. In cross-examination, he said that Mrs. Laurentine’s injuries were consistent with her having been struck two or three times or felled. She was extremely remorseful over the loss of her husband. Dr. E. G. Gibbs gave similar evidence. Edivence by Henry James Headifen, porter at the hospital, and Charles Lorenzo Hogg, free ambulance driver, indicated that Mrs. Laurentine was in a very hysterical condition. Cross-examined, Hogg said that all her niovements and statements indicated that she was desperately trying to do something to help her husband. (Proceeding).