DEATH OF WOMAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 12

DEATH OF WOMAN

ILLEGAL ACT PROVED MARRIED COUPLE qUILTY REMANDED FOR SENTENCE The trial of Robert William Campbell, aged 37, described as an inventor, and his wife, Mary Campbell, aged 39, jointly "barged with unlawfully using upon a young woman, whoso doatli occurred at Taumarunui on April 25, an instrument, or other moans, was concluded before Mr. Justice Smith in tho Supremo Court yesterday, both accused being found guilty. Mr. Hubblo conducted the case for tho Crown and Mr. Singer represented accused. Dr. A. B. Sturtovant, of Taumarunui, said that on April 2G he mado a post-mortem examination of deceased's body and established that tho cause of death was general peritonitis and septicaemia. Ho was almost certain an instrument had- been used on deceased. Tho principal Crowp witness, Bernard Francis Bland, recalled and further cross-examined by Mr. Singer, said Mrs. Browning did. not accompany him to Auckland on April 14 and lie had never discussed deceased's caso with her. Mrs. Browning was not at th? house in Pencarrow Avenue, Mount Eden, to which deceased was taken and did not introduce tho femalo accused to witness. Evidence ol Detective Detective-Sergeant Doylo said that on April 28 ho visited Mr. Singer's office by appointment and thero saw tho two accused. When witness told them he was making inquiries about tho death of a young woman Mr. Singer said, "They will not answer any questions." Asked where they lived both accused replied that their homo was in Seaview Road, Remuera. Questioned about their knowledge of deceased and their connection with the houso in Pencarrow Avenue, Mount Eden, accused did not reply, their solicitor remarking, "They decline to answer." On tho following day witness and Detective Walsh, of Wanganui, went to tho house in Seaview Road with warrants for tho arrest of tho two accused and wero admitted by the father of the male accused. Tho latter was not at home, but returned to tho house about 10 minutes after the detectives' arrival. When a warrant for his arrest was read to him the male accused remarked, "This will kill my wife; can you not leave her out? I suppose it was inevitable, but 1 am not going to make any statement." The female accused was not present, being in another room. Witness spoke to lier afterward and she said, "Oh, Mr. Doyle, why did you do this?" Both tho woman and her wero arrested and taken to the Central Police Station. Upon being told by witness that he wanted to search tho houso in Pencarrow Avenue the male accused gave the detectives a key to the dwelling. Judge's Comment Mr. Singer, who called no witnesses for tho defence, submitted there was no direct evidence that deceased had been subjected to illegal interference. He said it would bo highly dangerous for tho jury to allow suspicion or thought to govern its deliberations. His Honor said the Crown had no direct evidence to rely upon as the girl was dead. If the jury was satisfied the principal witness bad spoken the truth, however, it was entitled to act upon it and draw its own conclusions. The jury, after a retirement of 3 hours 40 minutes, found both accused guilty In discharging - the jury and remanding the prisoners for sentence His Honor said he fully concurred with the verdict.