CHARGE ADJOURNED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18263, 5 December 1933, Page 6

CHARGE ADJOURNED

MOTHER IN ASYLUM (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Before the Magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley, Bertha Nathalia Pike, 35, a married woman, was charged with attempting to commit suicide and with the attempted murder of her infant child at Linwood, ou November 29. Tho case was adjourned sine die, owing to the accused being in a mental hospital. Tho chief detective said lie understood that the accused had been committed to a mental hospital, and, therefore, asked that the charges bo adjourned sine die. Counsel for the defence said he felt inclined to agree to an adjournment on the charge of attempted suicide. However, ho would like to see the charge of attempted murder disposed of, instead of hanging over the accused’s head. The magistrate said he did not see a way out. He could not have the case before the court while the woman was in a mental hospital. It would not bo right to have a woman obviously mental and place her in the dock to face a charge. Finally, the magistrate suggested that counsel should have a conference with the chief detective, and adjourned the ease sine die.