INSANE WIFE MURDERER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15912, 8 May 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

INSANE WIFE MURDERER.

TRAGEDY IN A KITCHEN.'

Shocking act* which followed a drinking bout led to the appearance at Durham Assizes of Arthur Be van O'Regan, lib, a moulder, of Gateshead, who was charged with the murder of his wife, attempted murder of his son Stephen, and attempted suicide. , ~'*■'%,' '.s'?» -,••'•• ..,*, Mr.' Lowenthal, prosecuting/said (hat the crime waa committed on January 4, and for some-days prior to that accused had been drinking with a nephew, a soldier, who had .staying with him. On January 4 accused was depressed, and apparently suffering from the .after-effects of drink. That night the wife was heard to say to her husband, "It is all lies." Later, prisoner, his wife, and their son: Stephen were left in the' kitchen together, aid a scuffle was heard. The wife screamed and the child cried.' There was no doubt that at that time accused inflicted wounds upon his wife's throat, which resulted in her death a few minutes afterwards. A neighbour interfered, and when the police arrived accused was found attacking his own throat with a ra/or. Stephen was found to be suffering from a wound in the throat.

Evidence was given that accrued ond his wife lived happily together. They had a family of • live. Other ewden.ee showed that when the knife was taken from the priaoner he was very violent, and three persons had to hold him down. At the infirmary he had to be strapped to his bed for several' days. Dr. Robinson, police surgeon at Gateshead, eaid he did not think prisoner was conscious of what he had done, or that lie wa» responsible for his actions. Mr. F. J. Nattras, who, on January 4, was house surgeon at Newcastle Infirmary, said he thought prisoner was insane at the time.

Mr. Lowenthal thereupon said, thai 'bethought the evidence and tho hujUry of tho case sufficient to justify the jury in find-, ing prisoner guilty, but insane. The jury found accused guilty, but added that ho wag insane at tho time he committed the act; and Mr. Justice Coleridge directed that he should bo detained during tho King's pleasure."*