THE SEADOWN TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17176, 5 February 1930, Page 11

THE SEADOWN TRAGEDY

MURDER OF WOMAN TRIAL OF HUSBAND (Per Press Association.) TJMARU, this day. In the Supreme Court to-day Jack Oldfield, against whom a true bill was return eel by the Grand Jury yesterday, was arraigned on a charge that he'did fit SentiovVn, on January 18, murder his wife, Christine Oldfield (nee Sutherland) by striking her oil the head with an axe. Mr. Justice Adams was on the bench. Mr, W. I>. Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution, whilst Mr. ¥. 3. Rolleston appealed for the defence. Accused pleaded not guilty to the iiuliotment. The proceedings aroused much interest and the court was Crowded. The most remarkable feature of the case was the absence of any motive. Acerised is a member of a highlyrespected Scadown family and his farm is comprised of some of the best land in South Canterbury. It was stated in evidence by one witness that accused was abort of ready money, but otherwise his financial position Should not have given him any cause for worry. Before her marriage deCeased W.ts a mnsseiise and practised her profession in Timnru and Christchurch. Mr. Campbell said that the ease was a distressing one, but the facts were simple. The jury would have no difficulty in arriving at their decision. Dr. Scannell repeated the evidence given in the Lower Court, saying that he arrived at the scene at 7.30 o'clock oh the morning Of the tragedy, when he saw the body of deceased in bed with a gaping wound in the skull, apparently inflicted by an instrument such as the axe produced. ACCUSED VISITS BROTHER Eldred Charles Oldfield, brother of accused, related in detail the evidence, given in the Magistrate's Court, saying that his brother came to witness' farm about 6.30 a.m., asking for the loan of some cartridges, as he wanted to shoot rabbits. Accused obtained the cartridges from the house and then made to leftve for home. Before he had gone far accused called out, "Gooddjye, Eldred." Witness saw accused With the guii, evidently endeavoring to reach the trigger with the intention of shooting himself. "Witness closed with accused and obtained possession of the gun, and then Obtained assistance and had accused secured. Accused said: "You may as tvell let me finish it. as I have killed Ohrissy." The gun was loaded, but did not go off because accused did not know how to operate the safety catch. Witness g"avc an account of his visit to accused's house and the finding of the dead woman. When witness reached the house Mrs. Oldfield was still breathing. Witness informed the police of the occurrence. Accused had .served in the Oreat War, where he had suffered certain injuries. Accused was the recipient of a war pension. Witness lived about half a mile from accused's residence. After returning from the front accused continued to work on his father's farm, but about four year's ago he acquired two properties of his ovtrn. Accused was maft'ied on December 19 in ChristChurch, afid he returned to Seadown on December 28. Prior to his marMage witness saw accused frequently, as they were co-managers of the Oldfield estate, aiid after his marriage he saw him daily. So far as witness was aware accused was happily married. Accused was an industrious man, but was always talking about inoney troubles. He seemed afraid that he could not make the farm pay HOW that he whs married. Witness had offered to lend money to accused. Accused had obtained £BOO from the estate on the Saturday night before the tragedy. Witness and accused had discussed the hitter's financial position, and ho was solvent. "I'VE KILLED MY WIFE" Arthur Duncan, a laborer employed bv Eldred Oldfield, stated that he had seen accused between 7 and 7.30 a.m. on January 13, when he was struggling Willi his brother. Witness assisted Eldred Oldfield to- overcome accused. Accused said, "I've killed my wife," and then added, "I've killed Ohrissy." Witness fiskod accused if he and his wife had quarrelled, but the reply was in the negative. In answer to questions, witness agreed that accused was a very hard worker, and he was probably overtaxing his strength. Accused appeared, more distressed afjter marriage, and was glum and irritable. Accused told Witness that married life was all right, but it meant additional worry. Opening the caso for the defence, Mr. llolleatou read a letter written by deceased' to her sister on January 9, in which she said in part: "We are slowly getting the rooms straight and they lookvery nice, I think. I get very, very tired and John gets very worried if he sees me looking ill, so 1 always pull a long face when I see him coming. However, I suppose I will soon get used to it. I'm afraid. Annie, things arc far from satisfactory on the farm here, It has come as an awful shock, and no Wonder Jack hfts boon worried about money. The fact of the matter is that the farm is gradually dropping money Cvefy year and is not paying. I feel I must tell you, Annie, so don't breathe fl. word to mother as it all goes to Aunt Harriet, but you can tell Nettie and Lily if you like. Jack is nearly off his head with worry, and what With trying to pacify him 'audi keep a brave fare myself f can tell you it's hard. I really have been too dispirited to write before. I don't know what we will do as T can't see how he can make a success of this place at all. It looks as if he will lose «tery penny here." I (Proceeding.)