SEADOWN MURDER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 6 February 1930, Page 5

SEADOWN MURDER

TRIAL OP JACK OLDFIELD

DEFENCE OPENED

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

TIMARU, sth February. Opening the defence in the trial of Jack Oldfield for the murder, of his wife at Seadown, Mr Rolleston read a letter written by the deceased to her sister on 9th January, in which she said in part, "We are slowly getting the rooms straight and they look very nice, I think. I get very very tired and 'John gets very worried if lie sees me looking ill (so I always pull a long face when I see him coming). However, I suppose I will soon get used to it. I'm afraid, Annie, things are far from satisfactory on the farm here. It has come as an awful shock. No wonder Jack has been worried about money. The fact of the matter is that the farm is gradually dropping money every year, and is not paying. I feel I must tell you, Anne, so don't breathe a word to mother as it nil goes to Aunt Harriett, but you can tell Nettie and Lily if you like that Jack is nearly off his head with worry, and what with trying to pacify him and to keep a brave face myself I can tell you it's hard. I really have been too dispirited to write before. I don't know what we will do, as I can't see how he can make a success of this place at all. It looks as if he will lose every penny here."

VERDICT NOT GUILTY

ACCUSED FOUND INSANE

TIMARU, This Day. In the evidence for the defence Dr. Peale said that from events following the tragedy he was of the opinion that accused was actually suicidal, and thought that was accused's condition before thp tragedy. There was evidence of a clouding of" consciousness after the tragedy. In answer to Mr W. D. Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, witness said a possible cause of the tragedy would be an indefinite mental condition immediately before killing his wife. Accused would be insane at the time he struck. Dr. A. T. Ulrich said that in his opinion accused was suffering from simple melancholia. He was of the opinion that melancholia was the cause of the act.

Dr. A. C. McKillop, superintendent at the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, stated that he examined accused, who was under acute depression. This evidence was also borne out by Dr. T. W. J. Charles, Superintendent of the Seacliff Mental Hospital. After twenty minutes retirement the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity.

Accused was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital during the pleasure of the Minister of Justice. His Honour said he strongly agreed with the verdict.