MURDER CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1940, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

111 K I. AC H EN’ftNK .CASE. (Per Press Association-Copyright). WELLINGTON, Dec, 4. Jean Laurhhtmd 31, was charged', at the lilagistrafe’s Gourt- with the murder of her husband, Francis Norman Laurentine, 37, a watersider, by stabbing him on November 2nd. He. was taken about 7.30 p.m. from a flat, they occupied in Willis Street, suffering from knife wounds and died in the hospital at 8.50 p.m. ‘ Mr Stout, S.M., was on the Bench, the Actihg-CfoWh Proriebritdr, Mr WR. Birke, conducted the pfosediition. Dr. Mazengitrl) add W. T. Gillespie appeared fot the defence. Photos' and plans produced by Senior-Sergeant Dinnie, fingerprint expert and photographer iri charge-of the criminal investigation branch’. . .~ ,

Hiia Rob Ro Avery/ occupying an adjoining flat, said, that the Laurentine’s came home between 7 and 7,15 o’clock. Both were very _much under the influence of liquh.r. He paid La'i-„ l-entine the rent and .returned ,To . his flat. He heard from I'Lgureritine’ s, flat “ a proper argument” between Laureritine and his wife. and. turned up bis wireless, but could' still hear the voices. After seven or eight minutes Mrs Laurentine came to the door and said: ‘‘Quick, Mr Avery, get a doctor, I’ve stabbed Laurie.” , Witness- went immediately to Laprentine’s kitchen and found Ihufentine half lying or sitting in a corner. There was blood on the .floor. S® went to get assistance, arid stopped apassing ambulance, which carne to' the house. -Mrs Laureritine/Aas' still ■ \xt the kitchen. She askid’C wliriie doctor was and “was in a .ye.ry-.liysteri-; cal state of mind.” : She was' very much under ’the" influence of liquor. The ambulance driver ’ risked/ hoiv;“ it i happened, and she replied: “There was a fight. He hit me and I scabbed him.” ’ ' - . ' , V

She turned to witness and saidt “You kiiow I would not do it- deHb'erately, Mr Avery.” She went in the ainbula'nc" with her hUsbririd.- ' In cross-examination, witness ieriiS he had' -krioivn the coriple about' 13 months She was most devoted' to • her husband, and he was fond of her. He was somewhat addicted to liquor, arid used to have drfnkSrig'' hOtrts, "after which; he would get very .'illy rind site Would nurse him baf6k to' 'health. They had been to the races at Htfte Park oh 'November 2nd; i ; : ; y //T