LEAVING A WOMAN TO DIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

LEAVING A WOMAN TO DIE.

Mr. Hicks concluded an inquiry at the Star and Carter, Battersea, on June into the circumstances attending the death of Mary Sandt'ord, aged l"> years, a single woman, who was found dead in her room at it. Alfred-street. Battersea I'ark iioad.on the 11th inst. At the lirst hearing William Jeffrey, who described himself as an architect-, staged that the woman had lived with him as his wife for the past eight years. She was the daughter of a Buckinghamshire farmer, but both her parents were dead. She had for a long time been in very indifferent health, and had no: left the house for a fortnight previous to her death. He did not call in a doctor, however, because she objected to have one. On Monday week he left her alone all day, and when he returned at night he found her dead in bed. Laura Kastgate. the landlady of the house, said that at the time the woman died she was lying on a mass of rags, and her body was in a terribly neglected condition. Witness could not find any food in the place. Dr. Sewell now gave the result of his post-mortem examination. He found the body very emaciated, and the appearance of internal organs clearly denoted that the woman hail no food for at least four days before her death. She bad no doubt been a helpless invalid far a fortnight or more. The primary cause of death was congestion of the lungs brought about and accelerated by starvation and neglect. The jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter" against William Jeffrey.

Jeffrey was brought up at Wandsworth Police Court on a charge of manslaughter. The prisoner, who ma ie no defence, was remanded, and the magistrate certified for legal aid. '