DEATH OF WOMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21504, 30 May 1933, Page 12

DEATH OF WOMAN

ALLEGED ILLEGAL ACT married couple charged BOTH COMMITTED FOR TRIAL The death of a woman, aged 24, at Taumarunui, on April 25, had a sequel in the appearance in the Police Court yesterday of Robert William Campbell, aged 37, described as an inventor, and his wife, Mary Campbell, aged 39, on a charge of unlawfully using upon the young woman an instrument, or other means. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., was on the Bench. Detective-Sergeant Doyle prosecuted and Mr. Singer appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty.

Evidence was given by a young man that he became acquainted with the woman about four years ago and started "keeping company" with her about April, 1932. Deceased spent the Christmas holidays in New Plymouth, and when she returned to her home in Oh lira she seemed very perturbed and strange. As a result of something the girl said, witness took her to a doctor at Stratford on March 19. Witness then proposed to marry her and the following month went to Auckland with her. , Visit to Auckland On arrival in Auckland on April 14 witness and the girl drove to a hotel in a taxi. The latter did not alight from the taxi, but drove away, stating she had arranged to sco some friends. Witness, who did not know where sho was going, followed in another taxi and traced her to a house in Remucra. Witness watched the house and about two hours later saw her leave the building in ;i motor-car accompanied by the two accused. As he had dismissed his taxi, witness was unable to follow the car. On returning to the city ho searched a telephone directory and ascertained the house was occupied by people known by the name of Miller. Witness telephoned the Millers and inquired about the girl. He was told by a woman, whom he now knew as the female accused, to wait for a motor-car which would call at his hotel. This car came to the hotel as arranged and witness was driven to a house in Mount Eden, where he saw deceased in bed and in a very distressed condition.

While witness was in the bedroom the female accused entered and was introduced to him as "Mrs. Miller." Accused said the girl's case was a very had one. On April 17 witness told the male accused ho intended to take the girl home, and two days later he and the girl travelled to Taumarunui. Before leaving the male accused told witness that if he had to call a doctor at Taumarunui to toll him that the girl's condition had been brought about by a fall. As far as witness knew she had not fallen. The girl was very weak on arrival at Taumarunui and was admitted to the Taumarunui Hospital, where she died on April 25. Evidence of Doctors Dr. M. G. Pezaro said that on the night of April 16 ho was callod to a Mount Eden house to see deceased. Witness operated on deceased in the presence of Dr. T. H. Pettit and the female accused. The following three days the condition of the patient was very grave. Dr. A. B. Sturtevant, of Taumarunui, who conducted a post-mortem examination, said death was duo to septicaemia and peritonitis. He thought it likely that an instrument had been used on deceased. Dr. W. E. Fisher, of Taumarunui, who attended to deceased and who was present during the post-mortem examination, gave" similar evidence. Both accused were committed to the Supremo Court for trial. The woman was granted a renewal of her bail of £SOO, but her husband was refused bail.