MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1937, Page 7

MURDER CHARGE

AN ACKLAND TRAGEDY. (Per Press Association —Copyright), AUCKLAND, June 10. Charged with the murder of his wife. Mary Elizabeth Gage Brown, aged 87. in Auckland on April 5, William Percy Gage-Brown, aged 70, appeared at the Police Court this morning, before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M, Mr Hubble prosecuted for the Crown and Mr A. H. Johnstone, K.C., solicitor to the Public, Trust Office, appeared for accused, who was given a chair in the dock. Joan Kathleen Chalmers. a nurse, who sometimes attended the accused, when a patient in the Auckland Mental Hospital, gave evidence that early in April she left the hospital staff and obtained a position as nurse and housekeeper with the accused and his wife in their home at Epsom. She was awakened by a noise at 6.30 a.in. She entered Mrs Gage-Brown’s bedroom and saw her lying on her back on the floor, her husband sitting on her chest with a 41b weight in his hand. Witness saw him strike his wife on the head two or thiee times. Witness pulled him oil and went to the window and called for help!' He got away from witness at the window and sat down by his wife and held her hand. Both the Gage-Browns were in their night attire. While the accused was sitting on the floor, witness telephoned for Dr, Roche. As she returned she saw Gage-Brown pick up the weight again saying “She is still alive. I must finish her.” At this stage two men came in to help witness and took accused to the bedroom, following upon which a constable and Dr. Roche arrived. Mrs Gage-Brown was unconscious when taken by the ambulance to the hospital. Dr. Edward Henry Roche gave evi donee that Mrs Gage-Brown was his aunt. Accused was committed to tin; mental hospital in November of 193 d, suffering from delusions. Witness did not consider he was suicidal or dangerous at that time. Mr Wyvern Wilson: “Were you one of the certifying doctors?” Witness: “No Sir, T was not.” Witness said that in February pi 1936, on the application of Mrs GageBrown her husband wa s allowed to re turn home, subject to a nurse being ongaged to look after him. Witness saw him . weekly. At first ln> appealed ex cited but gradually settled down to a normal condition. Witness visited him on Sunday, April 4 in response to » summons from Miss Chalmers and was told that accused had threatened bis wife with a tomahawk. Accused S avr him what appeared to be a rational explanation stating he was only being a bit theatrical. He wa s normal then 'Witness told them it would be necessary for him to go into a home and said he would call next day and show them the homes available. Mrs Gage-Brown was agreeable but witness forgot whether the accused wa s or not/- Witness described accused’s condition nex“ morning after his wife had been injured. . At the conclusion of the evidence the accused was committed for trial. 1 BLEEDING FILES CURED. “Zann has given me complete relief.’ Hundreds of similar cases. Generous sample “Zann” sent for ninepenci stamps. Zann Pty., Box 952 J.K. Mel lington.