MURTAGH'S MISERY.

NZ Truth, Issue 123, 26 October 1907, Page 5

MURTAGH'S MISERY.

A BABY, A JOCKEY, ANJ) h RAZOR. . Accused Reserves His Defence. And is Committed for Trial. The case against the jockey Edward Murtagh, charged with wounding his illegitimate offspring, Mary; Lorraine Tui Leigh, on October U, by slashing" its leg with a.razor, was brought to semi-finality m the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, on Wednesday, when further evidence for the prosecution was given. It will be recollected that Mrs Leigh, the grass widow of Harry Leigh, charged Murtagh with doing the injury mentioned to thei^r mutual offspring. Rose Annie Greaves,, daughter of the landlady of No. 5 McDonaldcrescent, said she was m the kitchen when she heard sounds of a scuffle m the room above her, and when she ascended the stairs, Mrs Leigh complained to her that Murtagh had injured the child with a razor. Alice Maud West, a nurse living m. the house,, said that subsequent to the occurrence, Murtagh said, "It was an accident • she did it herself." He.'did not explain whom vhe meant by "she." She had a conversation with Murtagh after he had been let out on bail. Murtagh wanted her to give evidence on some : point which the nurse had forgotten. Miss West said to him, it would have/been better for him had he pleaded guilty .^if he were convicted he might get three years'. Murtagh replied, "I want H prove to.the world W THAT I AM INNOCENT, and what a treacherous woman she is." During one of her conversations with Murtagh after the arrest he had said,, "It was Mrs Leigh who cut the child." Detective Cassells, who arrested Murtagh, said he had questioned Murtagh respecting the occurrence, and the accused had denied mutilating the child. He said, "It was done by a b fiend." Cassels asked, "Who is the fiend ?" He replied, "Mrs Leigh." Cassels nucstioned further, and the following conversation followed, "How did she do it?" "With a razor." "Did you see her do it ?" "No." "How do you know she did it ?" "I went out into the nassage for a moment, and when I came back she had the razor m her hand*" Subsequently Murtagh remarked, "I have been trying to aret away from her. I would do twelve months to ~et rid of her." Cassells took charge of the razor, which had the name of Murtagh" inscribed on it. Murtagh reserved his defence ftnrt Wcis committed for trial. On the a implication of Mr Hcrdman bail w;ns allowed m the sum of £100. or I"wo sureties of £50 ep.cli. It is :m{i"ipated that thore will br vm'?"-al <^- velopments whrn the defence i°: r'isclosert m tfrp Supreme Cm"!-