HUSBAND INSANE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 1 May 1947, Page 6

HUSBAND INSANE

DEATH OF WIFE MURDER ALLEGATION TRAGEDY AT AVONDALE (P.A.) AUCKLAND. May 1. “The facts seem abundantly clear that he did murder his wife and I think the main matter you will have to consider will be the question of his mental capacity.” This statement was made to a iury to-day by the Crown prosecutor, Mr V. R. Meredith, when a potterv worker, Charles Andrew Vazey, aged 51 (Mr Aekinst stood his trial before Mr Justice Catlan and a jury in the S.ioveme Court on a charge that at Avondale on February 25 he murdered his wife, Sarah Purdie Vazey. In outlining the evidence, Mr Meredith said Vazev and his wife were a middle-agni couple and apparently lived happily at a house in Great North road, Vazey'being employed at the pottery works at New Lynn. They had r,o children and Mrs Nancy Boyd _Davis. an elderly widow, who was Mrs Vazey’s aunt, ,lived with them. Anxiety Neurosis Sufferer Vazcv's health had not beer, good from as far back as December, 1944. The accused was suffering from an anxiety neurosis. On the advice of Dr Kerens he went into a mental hospital as a voluntary patient, staying there for five months After he recommenced work in 1946 he developed symptoms of having bouts of fever and went to the Green Lane Hospital. He was discharged in April, going back to work. He was much brighter during the ‘election period when his interest in the elections improved his condition, but after that he reverted to attacks of fever. On February 17 he made an unsuccessful attempt to electrocute himself. Dr Kerens suggested that Vazey should go back to the mental hospital and u was arranged that he would see a psychiatrist on February 25. The evidence, said Mr Meredith would be to the effect that on Fcoruary 25 he would not go to work and said he was going to change his mind about seeing a psychiatrist. In the morning he went shopping with lus wife They had lunch and lea together with Mrs Davis. Mrs Davis left the room after tea, leaving husband and wife together. Later she heard a yell and a clatter of crockery. She went back to the room and saw Mrs Vazey on the floor with Vazey standing ever her and striking her on'the head with a hammer. Mrs Davis caiied for heip and closed with Vazey. Attracted by- the noise next door, r.eignoours came in ana -virs vazey was carried to ner bedroom.'* Later, in tne comusion, Vazey was noticed lo be in the bedroom with a razor, apparently trying to draw it across Ins wiies throat. Mrs Davis, apparently a woman of courage, again caught hold of him and with tne assistance of a neighbour took the razor away. Mrs Vazey s skull was fractured and she was aead wnen a ciocior was summoned. "It’s The Only Way Out” Mr Meredith sa,d that when Dr Hercus was calico ana asked y azey wily ne did tnis, ne replica: "It s too o.ny way out. ne was then quiet and answered questions, but in prison next uay ne was oazea and ins mental reactions were distinctly bad. Nancy Boyd Davis testified on the lines indicated oy counsel. She said vazey nad several tunes talked oi committing suicide by rid.ng into a motor truck wnen on his bicycle. Cross-examined by Mr Aekins, wit ness said sue nad never heaiu vazey and his wile quarrel. He was of a quiet aisposition ana did not ti.mx. About wo years ago he was very d.s appointed at not receiving promotion in tile pottery works lo a position which would nave suited his artistic ability. After a retirement of half an hour the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. ■ ■ Medical evidence was given to show that the accused was suffering from a severe mental disease and was not responsible for his actions at the time of the tragedy. He was committed to a mental asylum.