AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY
A FATHER'S INHUMAN ACT.
AUCKLAND, January 21. The tragedy which occurred at Naike. near Ngaruawahia, on October 23, when the eyes of a 13-months'-old baby named Joan Morino were gouged out, with the result that death ensued, was recalled this morning, when Albert Victor Morine, father of the child, was charged at the Polios Court with murder. Morine, who has been detained in the Avondale Mental Hospital since his arrest, appeared in the dock wearing handcuffs, and vlooked forlorn and wretched in the extreme. He was not represented by counsel. The evidence was on the lines of thai given at the inquest. Dr Douglas Martin, of Ngaruawahia, described the injuries to the cnild, which, ho said, were consistent with the use of a sharp instrument. «The child when he saw it on the night of October 23, was suffering severely from shook, which was the oause of its death. Thij" evidence was corroborated by Df Archibald Joseph, of the Waikato Hospital, The doctors stated that both eyeballs had been completely removed, and that death oocurred early on the morning of October 25.
the witnesses was Frederick lAsb, who stated that he found the accused hiding in the tltri. on his (accused's) property, and took him to a neighbour s woolshed. Morine, who looked, very dejected, said that he was in trouble, and that he had' taken his little daughter's eyes out. He added thit he had donp it quite easily with a pocket knife, thai he had to do it, and would do it again. Witness searched him, but could find no knife or other instruments While in the shed Morino attempted to gougo one of his own eyes out with hit fingers, _ and witness had to secure him till the police arrived. Constable Ingram, of Huhtly, stated that the accused, when being removed to Hamilton, behaved like a maniac. He said that he had stars in his eyes, and entreated th» police to let him take them out. When g laced in a padded cell he tried to injur* imself. The accused was committed for trial \
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19190129.2.147
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 3385, 29 January 1919, Page 45
Word Count
350AN AUCKLAND TRAGEDY Otago Witness, Issue 3385, 29 January 1919, Page 45
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