THE SUNNYSIDE MURDER CHARGE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 2 August 1913, Page 7

THE SUNNYSIDE MURDER CHARGE.

EVIDENCE IN THE COURT

STARTLING STATEMENTS

BT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION

CHRISTCH URCH, Aug. 1. The charge of murder against Joseph Martin Chapman arising out of the death of Chas. Thomas McMeekin on July 8, was heard in the Magistrate's Court this morning. McMeekin was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, where Chapman was a warder, on July 7. Mrs McMeekin gave evidence that her husband had always been a strong man. At the time of his committal, however, he was almost blind. He had never been blind. James Todd, attendant at Sunnvside, j stated that on July 8 about 12.30 Chapman called him and said a patient was , kicking up a row. Chapman opened I the door of McMeekin's room and closed with McMeekin, f and they fell on the floor. Chapman propped* McMeekin against the wall and hit him on the chest and jaw with both hands. Witness and Chapman put McMeekin in bed with a mattress placed on the floor, and Chapman kicked him heavily in the abdomen several times, arid then attendant Stephens entered the room and they tucked McMeekin in the bed. Under cross-examination, witness said he did not interfere with Chapman nor did he report the incident to the superintendent till after the inquest on McMeekin. Chapman had urged him to sit tight and say nothing. Such assaults were, uncommon*. He had never seen a similar incident before. The case is proceeding.