ALLEGED MURDER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 May 1928, Page 9

ALLEGED MURDER

NORGROVE ON TRIAL. jHIS MENTAL CONDITION. EXPERT CROSS-EXAMINED. (by telegraph press association.) AUCKLAND, May 15. The trial of Allen George Norgrove on the murder charge, was continued at tne Supreme Court to-day. Dr. Beattie,, examined by Mr. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor. Recalling the fact that there hacl been quarrels between Norgrove and Ins family, Mr. Meredith asked. “Do you sucrgest that when -a man acts as* Noidid lie** was not* aci/U&teu by anger?” ' Dr. Beattie replied that may not have been the case. Mr. Meredith : You have heard oi his objection to the marriage? Norgrove from the dock interjected : There was no objection. Dr. Beattie said that ,a» far as ne knew the only- objection was as to the parties being in the house. Mr. Meredith: You have heard, a think, that Norgrove objected to Firth marrying Mavis. Accused excitedly, in loud voice: That’s a lie.

Mr. Justice Macgregor questioneu Dr. Beattie on how lie arrived at his conclusions and expressed the opinion that it was a pity that Dr. Beattie had not heard all the evidence. Dr. Beattie: I think I heard all tne material points. Mr. Meredith : Do you suggest that when Norgrove picked up the flat iron he did not know what he was doing? Dr. Beattie: He knew what he was doing when he picked it up, but I do not know whether he knew what he was doing when he -had it in the bedroom. He was gradually worked up to a state of dementia precos, a mental malady which prevents a person from having a full realisation of his or her acts-.

Mr. Meredith: When the accused struck the person with a flat iron would he not know he was causing an injury. Dr. Beattie: Not in the condition 1 have described. Air. Meredith: I am asking you whether Norgrove would not have known he was hurting someone when he used the flat iron as lie did? Dr. Battier Not- very well. Mr Meredith: How long do you suggest that Norgro.ve had been in a con dition such as might lead up ,to the mental condition you suggest? Dr. Beattie: I should think all his life. At the close of the case for the defence, the Crown called the superintendents of the Auckland and Porirua mental hospitals. They expressed the opinion that Norgrove was not suffering from any mental disease, and was quite capable of knowing what he was doing when he struck' the fatal blow.