CHARGE OF MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21114, 23 February 1932, Page 10

CHARGE OF MURDER.

[WIFE BEFORE COUET.

HUSBAND S FATAL WOUND.

EVIDENCE OF NEIGHBOURS. DOMESTIC DIFFERENCES. NIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY. [■BY TELEGRAPH.—PREPS ASSOCIATION.] AVANGANUI, Monday. The trial of Elizabeth Grace Donaldson, who is charged with murdering Alfred George Donaldson on December 13, was commenced in the Supreme Court today before Sir. Justice Ostler. Sir. J. W. Anderson stated in evidence that tho man's jugular vein was partially severed. Tho wound was one inch and n-half deep, and tho bread knife (produced) exactly fitted the wound. Cr6ss-examined, witness said the shape of the wound was consistent with the force of a woman's arm or a man stumbling and falling against the knife. Witness considered the wound was inflicted bv a frontal blow. Dr. Rutherford said considerable force would havo been necessary to produce such a wound. Tho blow must have come from behind, over the shoulder 1 . It •was improbable that tjie wound was caused by Donaldson stumbling on to the knife.

Dr. Reid said it was decidedly probable that the wound was inflicted from the front. A fatal wound could have been caused by Donaldson rushing at accused and falling on to the knife. If the blow had been one of considerable force it Mould have completely severed the jugular vein. Tho wound would have been longer and deeper, and more of the tissues would have been affected. Heard a Woman Scream.

Brian Hector George Brewer, who lived next door to the house where tho tragedy occurred, stated that on tho night of the incident he heard a woman scream and then a woman's voice say, " Wash that knife!" Witness rose, and from his kitchen window he saw Donaldson staggoring out of the house. The wounded man said, " Get a doctor." To counsel for accused, witness said ho was sure the woman used tho words, •"Wash that, knife!" and not "Watch that knife!"

Mrs. Jean Florence Brewer, wife of tho previous witness, said she had had a conversation with accused on the evening of the tragedy. Accused asked witness, who had been to the beach, if she had seen anything of her husband. Accused seemed angry and said, " Alf has been out since eight o'clock." She said ho would bo "in for it" when he came homo. Witness corioboraled her husband's evidence regarding Donaldson rushing from the house and calling for a doctor. ,To count-el for accused, witness said fiho had visited the accused in August last in her bedroom. Accused was crying, her face was swollen and there were bruises on her thighs and marks Tound her throat. Evidence Regarding Quarrels. Counsel: I want to know if on any other occasion you heard an altercation between Donaldson and his wife. Witness: Often. Sh o added that on one occasion she heard Mrs. Donaldson say, " You arc not a man to hit me and kick a womjin out."

To the Crown Prosecutor: At these quarrels Mrs. Donaldson's voice seemed to predominate.

The Crown Prosecutor: You say she was a good housekeeper. What was she liko temperamentallyl think she had a bad temper.

ilrs. Margaret Signal, another neighbour, gave corroborative evidence about Mrs. Donaldson calling, "Here, mother, take this knife and wash it."

Witness also detailed other happenings on tho night of the tragedy. Mrs. Donaldson had come to witness' door and said, "I've, murdered Alf! Look at my hands."

Leonard Banks, who lived opposite the scene of tha tragedy, said he was aroused on December 13 by Mrs. Donaldson calling at his door, ."Mr. Banks, come down at once!" Witness asked what the trouble was, and accused said she had injured her husband. Witness telephoned for a doctor and accused told witness that her husband had hit her over the head and was coming at her again. She had picked up a knife and he had ducked on to it and cut himself. "Poor Alf," accused had said, "I worshipped the ground he walked on." Threat to Leave Home. Edward John Rcid, who knew the Donaldsons, said that Mrs. Donaldson visited his home on December 13. She was very upset and said, -"I couldn't stand it any longer." She spoke of leaving home. Witness said that as she had no young children that was a good idea.

Witness said Donaldson was quite a decent sort of chap on the street, but he was very different in the home. Witness told of filthy names Donaldson had applied to accused. Mrs. Donaldson was a thoroughly good woman and an excellent housewife.

The first day's hearing was concluded with the taking of police evidence of Detective J. Walsh and Constables Claude Smith and O'Brien. This was on similar lines to that given in the lower Court.

Counsel for accused cross-examined closely and questioned the police witnesses as to whether the accused was given the usual warning regarding anything she might say being used against her. He said that neither constable questioned accused. They had thought it unnecessary to warn Iter or to advise the detective that sho had said anything that might be used against her. The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow morning.