Boy Charged With Attempted Murder

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 249, 22 October 1935, Page 7

Boy Charged With Attempted Murder

DEFENCE RAISES PLEA OF INSANITY Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. The trial of John Haig Roebuck, a youth aged 16, ou a charge of attempting to murder Mrs. Isobel Lindsay Henderson, at Tapui, North Otago, on August 11, commenced in the Supremo Court to-day before Mr. Justice Kennedy. Also alternative charges of wounding Mrs. Henderson with intent to do grievous bodily harm and assaulting her so as to cause bodily harm. Accused pleaded not guilty, but the evidence pointing to his guilt was not contested by his counsel, Mr. Swindley, and it was indicated that the defence of • insanity would be raised and that expert evidence would be called. The evidence showed that Mrs. Henderson was attacked with a butcher's knife while asleep, and was seriously •wounded in the throat. The police produced a statement in which accused admitted he made the attack on Mrs. Henderson. None of the witnesses could advance any reason for accused’s attack on Mrs. Henderson and the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. F. B. Adams, said it seemed to be a motiveless crime. The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow morning.