THE MASTERTON MURDER.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10070, 10 August 1895, Page 3

THE MASTERTON MURDER.

Wellington, Friday,

At the murder trial, Mr Garvey, gaoler, said Sommerville was under strict supervision pighb and day because 'io noticed Bomethincr about tbe man that bo thought juatilied him in adopting this extreme course. Had not observed any attempt on bhe part of accused to feign insanity, bub he had a strange manner. Had not shown any violence or misconducb. Prisoner when first in gaol paused before answering questions, looked about bim and stared. Accused was placed under supervision because 16 was feared he would attempt his own life.

The Chief Justice Baid this evidence showed the man was in Mb light miDd, If a person realises his position it shows ho is not insane.

Mr Jellicoe said he could quote autuoritie* to show thnb a suicidal prop?nsity was a symptom of Insanity.

Tlia Chief Justice : A suicidal propensity for a reason is uot so ; a suicidal prop°naiby withoub caufe i<>.

Mr Jellicoe : I can satisfy your Honor that authorities are nil the other way.

His Honor thought Ib was no use diacupslng the question now.

Mary Furland, of P.ilmerston North, gave evidence ns to tie queer rannner of accused, and tho drunktn habits of bis parents. His eldest brother wr.e nn idiot. Sommerville was very reserved, and had v delusion thut other people did not care tor him. Other members of the family wero not altogether right iv their minds,

LATEIt.

One of the witneases for the defence said that Somorvillo had lost n portion of his hand through the bursting of a gun, and had brooded over it o gcod deil sines. Dr. (Jhopple saH be had examined the prisoner, and CDtisidered the circumstances of the crime stroppiy indicative ot insanity at the time the shot was fi'ed. He had found Sotnerville dull of upprebension, very slow in mental prncpts^s, and suspicious in his manner. Under crossexamination witness said it would not be safe in all cases to say tbat absence of motive was a proof of insanity. Mr Gully quoted the Criminal Code, and asked whether the prisoner was laboring under natural imbecility or dlse&fe of the mind to such an extent an to make him incapable of understanding the nature of his aots ? Witness did not tbiok so, but con sciousness that an act wes wrong was not inconsistent with loss of self-contro', The Court adjourned at 5 o'clock. There are still several medical witr.est-es for the defeooe, so (hat the case will probably occupy mO3t of to-morrow.