CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 11

CHARGE OF MURDER.

LA BOTHER ON TRIAL.

WIFE FOUND DEAD.

'EVIDENCE GIVEN BY NURSE

ACCUSED'S VISITS TO HOUSE

IBT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOC! ATION. 1 NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday.

The trial of Alexander Townsend, farm labourer, on a charge of murdering his wife, Cora Alice Townsend, at Fitzroy early on the morning of September 16, was commenced in the Supreme Court before the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, to day. /

Members of the household of Mrs. Vickers, at whoso houso Mrs. Townsend was staying on the night of September 15, after being disturbed several times during (ho night by the visits of a. man, found Mrs. Townsend dead in a room with her head almost severed from tho body. Townsend was arrested later in the day at Onaero, north of Waitara.

Dealing with tho facts of tho case, Mr. C. H. Weston, tor tho Crown, said that Townsend and Mrs. Townsend were married in August, 1916. Accused was fvs years of and his wife 47. There were two children hy the marriage, a girl and a boy. The boy died between tho age of two and three years. Mrs. Townsend suffered from a deformity of tho hands, but in spite of this sho was a clever needlewoman and earned a certain income from the use of the needle. Evidence would show that it was an unhappy marriage and that the unhappy state was not improved by accused's personality. Ho was a man who drank a good deal and could carry his drink well. Separation Order in Force. When in drink accused had a had temper, continued Mr. Weston. There was established in accused's mind a grudge against his wife, her father and sister. In 1925 a separation order was made between accused and Mrs. Townsend. Prior to this, in 1921, there had been talk of a separation, but it was in 1925 that a deed was drawn up at Hamilton. Under this accused had to pay £1 a week for the maintenance of the daughter until she was 18. Mrs. Townsend carhe to New Plymouth to be near her relations at Onaero. Evidence given by numerous witnesses was the same as that given in the Lower Courty Elsie Murray Patchell, a nurse residing with Mrs. Yickers, said that on the night of September 15 Airs. Townsend called at the home about 7.15. Mm. Vickers left a few minutes before Mrs. Townsend arrived. About 10.15 Townsend came. Ho knocked on the front door and witness' niece, Elsie Vickers, opened it. He asked for Mrs. Townsend, who was in the kitchen. Elsie told witness and Mrs. Townsend went to the front door. Mrs. Townsend called out and a.sked if she could put a light on in the sitting room, but did not say for what purpose. Argument in Sitting Room. Accused and Mrs. Townsend then went into the sitting room, witness remaining in the kitchen. Witness said she heard Townsend and Mrs. Townsend arguing. They were talking in a loud tone. Witness went into the sitting room. Townsend was standing in the middle of the room. Mrs. Townsend seemed upset. Witness asked Townsend what he wanted and told him to get out. She opened the sitting room door and the front door. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend came into the hall and witness' returned to the kitchen. Mrs. Townsend came down tp the kitchen a few minutes afterwards, accused having gone. Soon afterwards Townsend camo back and shortly afterwards Mrs. Vickers came in. The conversation between Townsend and JNlrs. Townsend was about their daughter, Jean, continued witness. Townsend asked if Jean was working and was told she was trying to secure work. A cup of coffee was given Townsend, who asked 'Mrs. Townsend to go away with him. She refused and he went away again, saying he would wait outside for her. He came back some time later and again asked his wife to go away with him. She refused, but as he was leaving she said she would meet him next morning. Witness Runs For Help. It was arranged, continued Nurse Patchell, that Mrs. T ownsend should fpend the night at Mrs. Vickers'. Sho was to, sleep in th° sitting room with witness. Neither undressed. A long time after they retired she heard two knocks at the back door. She unlocked the door but nohodv was there. Then came a knock at a French window. Witness opened the window and found Towns°nd standing there. He asked if Mrs. Townsend would go out with him. Uo came inside and Mrs. Townsend told him it was too late to go out. She would go at daylight and asked him to sit. down until then. 1 hey resumed the argument about tho daughter and money. Witness left, the room and Townsend asked where she was going- The couple followed witness into the passage. Townsend asked where tho telephone was and on being told he seized the receiver and smashed the cord from the instrument. VVitness said she became alarmed at the change in Townsend's expression. He leaned toward Mrs. Townsend and his face was white and his teeth set. Witness terrified and ran for help. \Vhen she left, the Townsends were standing by the telephone. The Court was adjourned until tomorrow. The trial will probably last three days.