SPRING GULLY TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14445, 11 February 1909, Page 7

SPRING GULLY TRAGEDY

CHARGE OF MURDER. THE ACCUSED ACQUITTED. Prsss Association—By Telosjraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 10, (Received Feb. 11, at 0.40 a.m.) The jury found Scott not guilty on the charge of murdering his wife at Spring Gully on December 14. The judge, in discharging the accused, said: " Who didi the deed is only known to God and yourself." On December H the body of Mrs Robert Scott, wife of the manager of the Spring HullV/drcdge, was found in the creel; at Spring Gully, Fryerstown. Ur AVoollcv made a post-mortem examination, and found that death had been caused, by a revolver bullet, which had passed through tin; chest. Scott, was arrested the followin™ day. Accorcling to the story of her son. aged 11, Mrs Scott left homo just after 12 noon to get wood, talcing a revolver wit!) her. A little later Scott and bis wifo were scon and heard quarrelling at the crock-side, not far from their dwelling. A woman anil a boy state that they saw Scott si.iiko his wife. They kept cut I of sight, and presently heard a revolver shot. immediately after they say Mrs Scott iviuc on the ground and Seott standing oW Iter. Domestic differences between the pair are reported to have occurred for some time. Seott remained at the side Ol his dead wife until Constable Nommis arrived on the scene and removed the body. In a statement to the constable Scott eaid that his wife shot herself.