The Wellington Shooting Case.

Southland Times, Issue 13478, 11 June 1896, Page 2

The Wellington Shooting Case.

(By Telegraph.)

Wkllington, June 10,

At the trial of Mra Locber for attempted murder, Dr Mackenzie said he had been consulted by the accused in July, 1891, for astigmatism, which was liable to affect the i mind, causing epilepsy and various disI turbancea. She told him that she felt inclined to get over the breastwork into the harbour. A person in her condition f of ! mind, having delusions that another person was trying to injure her, would be likely to take extreme measures to defend herself. It was often the case that the first definite act of lunacy which a person committed wan one of violence. He had an interview with the acoubed in gaol, and came to the conclusion that she was insane. She was under the delusion that Norbury had some secret power over her and was persecuting her for some other object than that of merely getting his money. She said she shot Norbury because he was not 6t to live. The law could not do it and he had to be removed. She was not sorry t at she did the act, but was sorry that she did not shoot herself too. She said she would &hoot him then if she had a chance and she had no fear of oonsequencea as she did not mind dying. All thia showed that accused had lost the instinct of self preeervation. Ths fact that one of her uncles had been insane wua to a certain extent evidence of hereditary insanity. Great trouble would be apt to throw a person of her temperament off her balance. The jury were out a little over two hours and returned a verdict of acquittal on the ground of insanity. The Judge ordered the accused to be kepi in strict custody until the pleasure of the Colonial Secretary is known.