MURDER CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24525, 6 February 1941, Page 8

MURDER CHARGE

TRIAL OF WOMAN DEATH OF HUSBAND sequel to alleged stabbing (Psr United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The trial was commenced in the' Supreme Court to-day, before, Mr Justice Johnston, of Jean Laurentine, aged 31, charged with the murder of her husband. Francis Norman Laurentine. aged 36, a waterside worker, on November 2. Dr Mazengarb and .Mr N. T. Gillespie are appearing for the accused. For the Crown, Mr C. H. Weston, K.Ci, outlined the events regarding the return of the couple from a trotting meeting. A quarrel was heard, and the accused subsequently appealed to a neighbour to get a doctor quickly, as she had stabbed her; husband. -Mr Weston said the accused apparently very much under the influence of liquor, and was very'hysterical. Victim’s Drinking Habits One of the witnesses. H. R. Avery, who was a neighbour of the Laurentines, under cross-examination by Dr Mazengarb, said that Laurentine had been addicted to liquor, - and in recent months he had been very drunk. Quite frequently he brought liquor home,,, and when he was drunk one had to be very: careful when Jn conversation: with him, as he'became violent when displeased. In the last three months before the tfagedy witness could hardly recall one occasion when he had seen Laurentine sober. He had drinking.bouts, and frequently became ill as a result, and in the following days his wife would stay at home from work to see to his ■ meals. Witness thought she gave Laurentine more attention than .he deserved. . When under the influence of liquob Laurentine had a rather nasty habit of showing his spite, and, towards the end the couple had very little show for their combined earnings: but, if there was any squandering of money, it Was done by Laurentine in his drinking bouts. Witness had been told by the accused that they had been saving money for the grave of their child, who died three years ago, but he believed that Laurentine had found the money and’ used it for drink. Witness could see no reason why a woman should stick te a man like Laurentine. but the impression' he-,‘ was;ihat‘ she had■the greatest affection for him. ■

j Case for the Defence Opening the case for the defence, Dr ,0. G. Mazengarb said that not all killing was'-- murder. * At the other end of the chain there was justifiable homicide, as in, cases, of a soldier who kills an enemy, or a sheriff or someone who protected his life from attack. There was also such a thing as excusable homicide, as in the case of death by accident. ■ Self-protection was the first law of Nature, and this woman was Using to protect herself from an unprovoked assault. Her husband was very drunk. He struck her down twice,' arid in falling’ her head came in contact "with a knife, and ’she used it to ward off further; blows. “You haye to Judge something that happened in a few seconds,” continued Dr Mazengarb, addressing the jury, “but you nave to judge also by what happened in the next hour and what had happened throughout their married, life, t’ . ;-v- * Myrtle Dooley, of Ngaio said that some years ago, she and her husband kept an hotel at. Nelson. A girl named Jean Clark worked for them as;, housemaid. She was well spoken and ~ (veil behaved. When she met this girl some years later ib*-flocked like, an old; woman, and her, 16 dome and live with her. > At this stake witness broke down. “ You would bis prepared to look after her now? ” asked Dr Mazengarb “ Yes,” responded witness, Nora Reid said the accused was a niece of hers by marriage and had been brought up by witness. Her husband seemed fond of her* and she absolutely adored him. 'Ddring the past' eight months Laurentine had heap drinking very heavily.: His wife always made excuses for him and would not have a word said against him'., ; Evidence of 111-treatment Bene Yianakis said that a few years ago she conducted an apartment house in Wellington. Mr and Mrs Laurentine rented rooms in- her house for a time Laurentine when drunk, used to become very argumentative and at; times he would ill-treat his wife. He - used to hit his wife on the back of the neck as he said the bruises would not show. After the death of their boy. Laurentine* drinking habits became accentuated. She had never seen Mrs Laurentine take any intoxicating liquor. When sober, Laurentine was very nice and fascinating, • Hugh McGillivray. a carpenter, said he was an uncle of the accused by marriage. Laurentine. when drunk, would becot*e .very argumentative and abusive.

Frederick Miller, a seaman and waterside worker, said he had known Laurentine for 18 years, for the last five of which they had worked together on the Wellington waterfront His average earnings would be about £7 per week. As a result of his drinking habits Laurentine had been more than once penalised on the waterfront, When drunk he was offensive and cantankerous and often did not know what he was doing. On one occasion he had disfigured his wife* face so badly that she could not go to work for some days. He was very remorseful after the occurrence. The hearing will be resuiried tomorrow morning. ;•■■ ;■ After . art .-alleged attack by his wile. Laurentine was taken to the Wellington Hospital: on November 2 ,iyith severe knife wounds in his left groin and back. ’ He was admitted at '7.50 p.m., but had lost so much blood that, despite a blood transfusion, he died at 8,30. pip. The couple rented two ropms at 263 Willis street.