Agostini’s Story In Pyjama Girl Trial

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1944, Page 4

Agostini’s Story In Pyjama Girl Trial

SYDNEY, This Day

Antonio Agostini told a dramatic story of married life spoilt by his wife’s drinking habits and jealousy, when he gave evidence today in defence of a charge of having murdered her.

As he described his reactions after the shooting tragedy, many women witnesses in court wept. Agostini said his wife’s drinking began soon after their marriage in Sydney when she also accused him of carrying on with other women. Her behaviour deteriorated after the first six months. Very often she was drunk when he came home at night. She left him many times but always returned and begged him to forget. Eventually they decided to go to Melbourne where his wife thought she would do better away from the Sydney atmosphere, but she again left him and went to Adelaide but returned. Pistol Against Head One day she threatened him with a pistol. On the morning of the tragedy he was awakened in bed and found a pistol pressed against his head. In the struggle which followed the pistol discharged and his wife collapsed. After the shooting, realising that his wife was beyond help, he made two attempts to report to the police but was unable to bring himself to make a confession which threatened to bring his whole life crumbling to ruin. Then he decided to try and hide the body. While, carrying it downstairs, he tripped and the body crashed to the bottom. He fell after it and lost consciousness. When he recovered he saw that his wife’s head was badly injured but he was too terrified and horrified to make a detailed examination.

Disposal of Body

Later he put the body in a bag, placed it in his car and drove to Albury, where he placed it in a ditch, poured petrol on it and set it alight. Replying to his counsel (Mr. Fazio) Agostini said that at no time did he delibei'ately fire a pistol at his wife nor inflict blows on her head.

Describing an interview with the New South Wales Police Commissioner (Mr. Mackay), Agostini said that Mr. Mackay often went into Romano’s restaurant, where accused was employed as a waiter. When Mackay questioned him in his' office he told Agostini the police had all proofs that the pyjama girl was his wife. Mr. Mackay gave him a drink of whisky and said: “You must tell me all before if is too late. You may be only charged with manslaughter and get two years at the most. You must tell me. You may hang. You can trust me, on my word as a Scotsman.’’

Agostini then began to tell Mr. Mackay about the tragedy. During the statement they held two more whiskies. (Proceeding).

WEDDING