A CHARGE OF MURDER.
SUNNYSIDE HOSPITAL CASE,
[Per Press Association.] Christchurch, August I
A charge of murder against Joseph Martin Chapman, arising out of the death of Charles Thomas McMeekin on July Bth, was heard in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. McMeekin was committed to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, where Chapman was a warder
Mrs McMeekin gave evidence that her husband had always been a '.strong man. At the time of his committal, however, he was almost blind. He had never been violent.
James Todd, attendant at Sunnyside, gave evidence that on July Bth about 12.30 Chapman called him and said the patient was kicking up a row. Chapman opened the door of McMeekin’s room, closed with McMeekin, and they fell to the floor. Chapman propped McMeekin against the wall and hit him on the chest and jaw with both hands. Witness and Chapman put McMeekin in bed, which was a mattress placed on the floor, and Chapman kicked him heavily in the abdomen several times. The attendant Stephens entered the room and they tucked McMeekin in bed.
Under cross-examination witness said he had not interefered with Chapman and had not reported the incident to the Superintendent till after the inquest on McMeekin. Chapman had urged him to sit tight and say nothing . Such assaults were uncommon, and he had never seen a similar incident before. The case is proceeding. ~
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Bibliographic details
Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 74, 1 August 1913, Page 3
Word Count
230A CHARGE OF MURDER. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 74, 1 August 1913, Page 3
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