MURDER CHARGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 4 December 1940, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE

E - WOMAN BEFORE COURT ,! THE LAURENTINE CASE j SEQUEL TO DEATH ? FROM KNIFE WOUNDS 1 [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. Jean Laurentine, aged 31. was charged in the Magistrate's Court with th« murder of her husband. Francis Norman Laurentine. aged 37, watersider, by stabbing him on 2nd November. He was taken at about 7.30 p.m. from the flat they occupied in Willis street, suffering from knife wounds, and died in hospital at 8.50 p.m. Mr Stout. S.M., was on the Bench, the Acting-Crown Prosecutor, Mr W. R. Birks. conducted the prosecution. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb and Mr N. T. Gillsepio appeared for the defence, s Photographs and plans were producs ed by Senior-Sergeant Dinnie. finger- - print expert and photographer in - charge of the Criminal Registration s Branch. 5 Hira Rob Roy Avery, occupying the - adjoining flat, said that the Laurentines s came home between 7 and 7.15 o’clock, 1 both very much under the influence of l i liquor. He paid Laurentine his rent i and returned to his flat. He heard from s the Laurentine’s flat “a proper argu- ■ ment” between Laurentine and his wife e and turned up his wireless, but could ■ still hear the voices. After seven or ~ eight mimvjes Mrs Laurentine came to the door ah*d said, “Quick. Mr Avery, e get a doctor. I’ve stabbed Laurie.” Witness went immediately to the e Laurentine’s kitchen and found Lau- | rentine half lying or sitting in the corner. There was blood on the floor. He s went to get assistance and stopped a passing ambulance, which came to the [ house. Mrs Laurentine was still in the 7 kitchen. She asked where the doctor was. and “was in a very hysterical _ state of mind.” She was very much I under the influence of liquor. The amy bulance driver asked how it happened l and she replied: “There was a fight. He [ hit me and I stabbed him.” She turned ' to witness and said, "You know I would j not do it deliberately, Mr Avery.” She r ’ w’ent in the ambulance with her hus- . | band. ! In cross-examination witness said 1' that he had known the couple about 15 . I months. She was /nost devoted to her ’! husband and he was fond of her. He i was somew’hat addicted to liquor, and I used to have drinking bouts after which i he got very ill, and she w’ould nurse him back to health. They had been to the races at Hutt Park on 2nd Novem-t ! ber. MEDICAL EVIDENCE j Dr. E. M. Griffin said that Mrs Laurentine was rather much under the in- “ fluence of liquor. She had af lot of blood ■ on her hands, arms, knees and legs. Her : only injuries were recent lumps on the • i head, a recent weal on the left arm and »j another on her back. Her clothing was not torn. In cross-examination he said that Mrs Laurentine’s injuries were consistent with her having been struck two or three times or felled. She w f as extremely remorseful over the loss of | her husband. ! Dr. E. G. Gibbs gave similar evidence, j Evidence by Henry James Headifen, porter at the hospital, and Charles Lo- ! renzo Hogg. Free Ambulance driver, j indicated that Mrs Laurentine w'as in a very hysterical condition. Cross-exam- • ined Hogg said that all her movements | -- " statements indicated that she was desperately trying to do something i help her husband. The case is proceeding.