TIMARU MURDER TRIAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 13

TIMARU MURDER TRIAL.

CASE AGAINST OLDFIELD.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.

GROUNDS OF INSANITY.

JURY'S PROMPT DECISION,

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] / TIMARU. Wednesday.

The trial of Jack Oldfield, a farmer, on a charge of having murdered his wife, Christine Oldfield, at Seadcwn, on January 13, by striking her on the head with an axe, took place to-day. Accused was found not guilty on the grounds of in-

sanity. Mr. Justice Adams was o:a the Bench. Mr. W. D. Campbell, Crown prosecutor, conducted the prosecution and Mr. F. G. Rolleston appeared for the defence. Dr. Scannell repeated the evidence given by him in the Lower Court, saying that he arrived at the scene at 7.30 on the morning of the tragedy, and saw the woman's body in bed, with a wound in the skull, apparently inflicted by an instrument such as the axe produced.

Eldred Charles Oldfield, brother of accused, said his brother came to his farm about 6.30 a.m., asking for the loan of cartridges, as he wanted to shoot rabbits. He obtained the cartridges from the house and then made to leave for home, but before he had gone far he called out, "Good-bye, Eldred." Statement by Accused. Witness saw accused with the gun, evidently endeavouring to reach the trigger with the intention of shooting himself. Witness closed with him, and obtained possession of the gun, and then obtained assistance and had accused secured. Accused said, "You may as well let me finish it, as I have killed Chrissy." The gun was loaded, but it did not go off, because accused did not know how to operate the safety-catch.

Witness said his brother had served in the Great War, where he had suffered certain injuries. He was the recipient of a war pension. After returning from the front he continued to work on his father's farm, but about four years ago he acquired two properties of his own. He* was married on December 19, in Christchurch, and he returned to Seadown on December 28. Prior to his marriage witness saw accused frequently, as they were co-managers of the Oldfield Estate. After his marriage he saw him daily.

Witness said that as far as he was aware accused was happily married. He was an industrious man. He was always talking about money troubles, as he seemed afraid that he could not make the farm pay after he was married. Witness had offered to lend money to accused. Accused had obtained £BOO from the estate. On the Saturday night before the tragedy witness and accused discussed the latter's financial position. He wa3 solvent.

Letter Written By Wife. Arthur Duncan, a labourer employed by Eldred Oldfield, said that he had seen accused between 7 and 7.30 on January 13, when he was struggling with his brother. Witness assisted Eldred Oldfield to overcome accused.

In answer to questions, witness agreed that accused was a very hard worker. He was probably overtaxing his strength. Accused appeared more distressed after his marriage. He was glum and irritable. He had been cheerful before his marriage.

In opening the defence, Mr. Rolleston read a letter written by Mrs. Oldfield to her sister, on January 9, 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 he 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 &ere. It has come as an awful shock. No wonder Jack has been worried about money. The fact of the matter is tho farm is gradually dropping money every year, and is not paying. . . . Jack is nearly off his head with worry, and what with trying to pacify him and to keep a brave fact* myself, 1" 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 spo how he can make a success of this place at all. It looks as if he will losl every penny here." , Evidence of Insanity.

Dr. Beale, in evidence, said that melancholia had insanity as one of its accompaniments. From the events following the tragedy he was of opinion that accused was actually suicidal and thought that was accused's condition before the i ra gedv.

To Mr. Campbell, witness said the cause of the tragedy would be an indefinite mental condition. Immediately before killing his wife accused would be insane, and also at the time. At the present time witness thought he would certify accused for a mental hospital. Dr. F. F. A. Ulrich, of Timaru, said <hat accused first came under his charge in the Timaru Military Hospital some years ago when he was suffering certain paralysis caused by a gunshot wound. His depression and agitation were most marked when witness saw him first. Witness' opinion was that accused had already made up his mind a week before the tragedy to take his life. In witness' opinion accused was suffering from simple melancholia. No doubt accused thought over the shame and misery for his wife if he committed suicide. On ♦he inorninß of the act he evidently suddenly decided to take his wife with him and tho tragedy was the result.

"Witnesses for the Oirown. Mr. Campbell then presented tho Crown's medical evidence. Dr. A. C. McKillop, superintendent of tlie Sunnyside Mental Hospital, said he examined accused, who described the tragedy to him. The symptoms were difficult to base any particular form of infanity on, but there was no doubt accused was under acute Accused would know that he was doing at Iho timo and know it was wrong. Witness did not think it was a sudden impulse that caused the act. Dr. T. W. J. Charles, superintendent of the Seacliff Mental Hospital, said that from nn examination of accused he gathered that apcused was mentally depressed. In witness' opinion accused had planned what ho intended to do. He would know that killing a person was wrong, but no doubt felt justified iu the state of misery ho was in. Counsel and the Judge addressed tho jurv comparatively shortly. The jury retired at 5.27 p.m. and returned twenty minutes later with a verdict of not guilty on the grounds of insanity. Accused was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital until tho pleasure of tho Minister of Justice was known. The Judge stated that be thoroughly agreed with the verdict.