TRIAL OF WOMAN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 71, 23 February 1932, Page 2

TRIAL OF WOMAN.

ON CHARGE OF MURDER. MEDICAL EVIDENCE HEARD. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Feb. 22. The trial of Mrs Elizabeth Grace Donaldson for the alleged murder of Alfred George Donaldson on December 13 commenced to-day before Mr Justice Ostler. Brian Hector Georgo Brewer, who lived next door to the scene of the tragedy, deposed that on tho niglrt of the happening he heard a woman scream and then a woman’s voice say: “Wash that knife.” Witness got up and from his kitchen window saw Donaldson staggering out of the house. He more or less gurgled out: ‘God, get a doctor.” To counsel for accused, witness said that he was sure the woman used the words: “Wash that knife” and not: “Watch that knife.” Mrs Joan Florence Brewer, wife of the previous witness, said that she had a conversation with accused on the evening of the tragedy at about six o’clock. Accused asked witness, who had lveen to the beach, if she had seen anything of her lmsbnnd. Accused seemed angry and said that Alf had been out since eight o’clock arid lie would bo in for it when he came home. Witness corroborated her husband’s evidence regarding Donaldson rushing from the house and calling for a doctor. To counsel for accused, witness said that she visited accused in August last in a bedroom. Accused was crying and her face was swollen and there were bruises on her thighs and marks round her throat. Counsel: I want to know if on any other occasion you heard an altercation between Donaldson and'liis wife? Witness: Ofton. Witness added that on one occasion she heard Mrs Donaldson say: “You are not a man to hit me and kick a woman out.” • To the Crown Prosecutor: At these quarrels Mi's Donaldson’s voico seemed to predominate. The Crown Prosecutor: You say she was a good housekeeper. What was she }iko temperamentally. Witness: I think she had a bad temper.

Mrs Margaret Signal, another neighbour, gave corroborative evidence about Mrs Donaldson calling: “Hero mother, take this knife and wash it.” Witness also detailed other happenings on the night of the tragedy. Mrs Donaldson had come to witness’s door and said: “I’ve murdered Alf. Look at my hands.”

Leonard Banks, who lived opposite the scene of tho tragedy, said he was aroused on December 13 by Mrs Donaldson calling at his door: “Mr Banks, come down at once.” Witness asked what the trouble was and accused said she had injured her husband. Witness telephoned a doctor and accused told witness that her husband had hit her over the head and was coming at her again. She picked up a knife and he ducked on it and cut himself. “Poor Alf,” said accused, “I worshipped the ground ho walked on.”. Edward John Reid, who knew the Donaldsons, said that Mrs Donaldson visited his home on December 13. - She was very upset and said she couldn’t stand it any longer. She spoke, of leaving home. Witness said that as she had no young children that was a good idea. _

Witness said tljat Donaldson was quite a decent sort of chap , oh-the street, but in the home ho Was a. man witness would bo ashamed ..to- associate with. Witness told of filthy names Donaldson had applied to accused. Mrs, Donaldson was a thoroughly . good woman and excellent-lipusewife. i : j The" first- day’s' hearing was concluded with: the taking of police evi-; dence.by Detective s John Walsh and Constables Smith, and O’Brien. This was on the lilies given in the lower Court. Counsel for accused cross-examined and closely questioned the police witnesses as to when accused was given the usual warning regarding anything she might say being used against her. Neither constable . questioned accused and thought it unnecessary to warn her or to advise the detective that she had said anything that might be used against her. ACCUSED GIVES EVIDENCE. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Feb. 23. The trial of Mrs Elizabeth Grace Donaldson for the alleged murder of her husband ' was resumed in the Supreme Court this morning before Mr Justice Ostler. Accused gave evidence that she married Donaldson on May 23, 1925, and they lived at Marton and Wanganui. They had a holiday in Auckland and came to Wanganui in February, 1927. In the following August when she was ill Donaldson kicked her about the stomach and she had to receive medical attention. About 18 months ago her husband’s. mauner changed Hind iiis brutality became worse. She loved her husband and worshipped the ground he walked on. Donaldson on occasions had her down on the bed nearly choking her; he also put his knee on her stomach. On another occasion fie struck her with a piece of lead, • a poker and a broom. Accused said Donaldson told her not to recognise him on the street. He then struck her on 'the chin and below the ear. On another occasion he threw her against a wall and injured her back.' / - - ; At this stage His Honour said this questioning of the witness was irrelevant, for no matter how bad the character of the man it was no excuse-for his wife to stick a knife into his neck. Continuing, accused said Donaldson told her she was only his housekeeper. On the day of the tragedy Donaldson left home early. Witness went to look for him at a friend’s place. She said she would do something drastic arts} would leave home. Later, when Donaldson returned, she asked where he had been all day and his reply, was a blow that felled her to the floor. He kicked her on the thigh, hit her with a shovel and punched her arm. Donaldson had picked up a knife and said “I’ll do for you,”- but dropped it. Witness picked up the knife and Donaldson ran out the back door. Witness went to shut the door to keep him out, but Donaldson rushed in and ran on to the knife. The hand holding the knife was raised high to shut the bolt on the /door. Witness went for the doctor when she realised Donaldson was hurt. . , Accused could not recall havmg used the words “stabbed” or “murdered” to any of her neighbours when she went for help. On a previous occasion Donaldson had threatened to cut her throat. _ ° , In answer to the Crown, accused said Donaldson rushed at her with force at the back door. She could not see in the dark whether lie was standing up straight. He did not say anyHow did you know in the dark that the knife hard caught him if he did not speak? —I knew by the feel that I must have struck him. Dr. Earle ( the gaol surgeon, described a bruise on accused’s shoulder and a large bruise on her hip. The former was consistent with a shovel blow and the latter with a kick. This concluded tho evidence for the , defence*