EVIDENCE CONCLUDED

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 November 1933, Page 7

EVIDENCE CONCLUDED

GREY LYNN MURDER TRIAL PRISONER CONSIDERED SANE. OPINION OF FOUR- DOCTOR'S. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. Evidence of medical men on the question of prisoner’s .sanity continued to occupy the court to-day, the fourth day of the trial of John Hubert Edwards on the charge of' murdering Christina Cunningham. Dr. Buchanan, superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital, was asked by Mr Justice Herdman if prisoner struck him as "oeinjr honest in liis answers during the doctor’s interviews with him.

“I did not think his statement that he could remember certain things was honest,” said witness. “Would .you certify to him being insane? —No. Dr. G. M. Tothill endorsed Dr. Buchanan’s opinion'and said he thoughtaccused was neurasthenic. Emotional instability was one of the symptoms of neurasthenia, and people suffering were quicker to fly into passion than normal people. Witness had no reason to believe that at the time of the killing accused did 'not know what he was doing. Witness thought his acts were conscious acts.

Cross-examined, the witness said if i.t was proved that accused had suffered from hallucinations and delusions he would have to alter his opinion. Dr. Gribbin and Dr. Tewsley, medical officers to the Auckland prison, both said they considered accused knew what lie was doing. This concluded the evidence and counsel began liis- address to the jury.