ASSAULT AND SUICIDE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5557, 7 April 1905, Page 6

ASSAULT AND SUICIDE.

THE GQUGH’S BAT CASE. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH. April 6. The inquest on John Sunctell, who on March 21st murderously assaulted his wife at Gough’s Bay. Akaroa, and died from self-inflicted wounds, was resumed at Akaroa to-day before Mr V. G. Hay, Coroner. The medical evidence was to the effect that death was due to hemorrhage resulting from a cut throat. Regarding Mrs Sunckell’s wounds. Dr Hargreaves said on examining her, he found a contused wound, and many bruises. There was a contused wound over the left jaw, and much swelling extending to the lower lip, a contused wound on the right eyebrow and a black eye. Along the nose, on the right side, extending across the cheek, there was an incised wound. On the wrist of the left forearm and also on the right wrist there were small jagged wounds. On the scalp were three wounds each about three-quarters of an inch long. . ' , , , Lucy Snnokell, widow of deceased, after describing the events which led up to the assault, stated-.—l had lived with my daughter, Mrs Lelievre, since June, 1903. I remember the deceased coming to Leiievre’s on March 21st. Mr Harrow, myself and' two daughters were there. Deceased spoke to Harrow and shook hands. Ido not know where he went then. I heard one of my daughters scream, and I went into the kitchen and saw the accused striking Mrs Lelievre, who said, "He struck me in the face.’’ Deceased then ‘ turned and struck me with, a hunting crop, and' I fell on the floor. I pulled the deceased down by the legs, and Mrs Lelievre screamed to Harrow,' who was on the verandah. Harrow came in and struck deceased twice with a little axe. Harrow then went away. The deceased continued to knock me about, X think with the crop. I was still on the floor as I could not get up. The deceased after a short time said ‘Til settle you." Ho then went outside and afterwards came and looked for a gun, which was in a bedroom, but he could not find the cartridges. When told to find the cartridges I said “I cannot get up." He then went into the kitchen for the carving knife, and having got it, sharpened I it, saying, ‘‘ This is for you and me too." I then scrambled outside. Deceased went into the washhouse and got a tin of kerosene which he sprinkled about the back door. He then lighted the kerosene, setting fire to the house, saying, “I will roast you." I rolled off the verandah, but he got hold of me by the shoulder, and dragged me up. Some time after Frank Lelievre came, and then Mansfield. The deceased sat down beside me, and watched the fire t-Il Mansfield came. He shook hands and spoke to Mansfield, afterwards going away with the knife and steel (produced). There was no blood on them then, and there was no injury to his threat when he went away. Harrow and others gave evidence of a similar character. The verdict returned was that deceased committed suicide by ■putting his throat.