MURDER TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1940, Page 7

MURDER TRIAL

ACCUSED COMMITTED

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

WELLINGTON, December. 4

Continuing the hearing of evidence in the charge of murder against Mrs Laurontine, Dr. E. M. Griffin said 1 that Mrs Laurontine was rather much under the influence of liquor. A lot of blood was on her hands ; arms knees and legs. Her only injuries were ... recent lumps on the head, a recent weal on the left arm and another oil the back. Her clothing was not torn. In cross-examination, he said that ! Mrs Laurontine’s injuries were consistj ent with her having been struck two I or three times or felled. She was ■ tremely remorseful over the loss of hex husband. Dr. E. G. Gibbs gave similar evidence. Evidence by Henry James Hcadifen, i porter at the hospital, and Charles ' Lorenzo Hogg, free ambulance drnei, indicated that, Mrs Laurentine was in a ’ very hysterical.' condition. I Cross-examined, Hogg said that all her movements and statements indicated that she was desperately trying to do something to help her husband. > Dr. D. J. A. Doyle, of Wellington , Hospital, said Laurentine, when admitted to hospital about 7.50 p.m., was suffering from extreme shock, and the pulse could not he felt. Hi s breathing was irregular and gasping. . He had three wounds—one about an inch long between the ninth and tenth ribs; one in the h’ft groin; and n small one m the left thigh. There had been considerable , haemitiorrhnge. and despite treatment, { the patient died about- 8.50. i James Dillon, Hospital porter, said * that when the Laurentines reached the hospital in the ambulance, Mrs Laureutiuc was holding her husband’s legs up in an endeavour to save bis blood, and she sa’d to him: “You mi., lit be the biggest rotter on earth, but you know T would not do it”’ She knelt, in n pray j n ,r position, and said: “•You know 1 ; wouldn't do it. God!” Mlm was upset but. was not hvsterb'iil, and sin did not ; .i,|j('a |- j ( , i- undo; i‘ " inUueu.ee of.jiq • our. Siio offered !o giv- a blood ImnsDr. Ik I. me'' ' ! ' ' n, n post mori.em o: amiia I k :* aid fh'd drinkwas oleuous, induing the quantio| td'-ohol in ihe uti Detective S'meaton sab! that be and ■iiuOli.o- d-drelive saw Mrs Lanrent : no at the hospital. She was hysterical and was smelling strongly of liquor. She agreed to go to the Detective

Office." lii 'th6 car on the. .way there the accused said; /‘We quarrel led, and he hit mo twice on tile face, I fell and hit my head. Feel the lump on my head!” She directed, witness’s, hand: t° her heau and he could feel a lump about an inch in diameter there. She continued: “I stabbed'him with a knife which I Was using to cut a lamb’s fry with. The knife is now on the bench. Laurie-said: “Jean, you quick tempered b , You have stabbed me!’’ .1 said; I know. I meant to stab you!” The accused continued: “We had been to th 0 races. I loved him. Js he dead?” For the rest of the journey, she was ■ staring into space. Witness and the other detcctivei went to tile Laurentine’s. flat, where there was a carving knife on the bench. There appeared to be blood on each side of the blade. A frying pan contained pieces of a cooked lamb’s fry in fat. Tbo accused had nothing to say after being charged with murder. Cross-examined by Mr Mazongarb. the detective agreed that the accused’s attitude was to conceal nothing. She was concerned about her husband. At the conclusion of the police evidence, Mrs Laurentine was committed for trial at the Supreme Court in February.