PLEA FOR BIGAMIST

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1935, Page 11

PLEA FOR BIGAMIST

‘HAD DUAL PERSONALITY.” EVIDENCE GIVEN BY DOCTOR. Melbourne, Aug. 19. Described as a man with a dual personality, Thomas Arthur Plaisted, aged 33 years, luggage carrier, Caulfield, admitted in the Criminal Court that he had committed bigamy. Mr. Justice Martin, after having heard medical evidence as to Plaisted’s mental state, remanded him so that a report from the Government medical officer could be obtained. Mr. L. Hartnett, who suggested that the case was one for medical treatment rather than gaol, described it as one of the most extraordinary bigamy cases in the history of Australia. There was a danger, he said, that if Plaisted were sent to gaol he would develop “prison psychosis” and would become insane. He was a married man with three children. After having “married” the second girl he had told her he was already married. Mr. Justice Martin: He only did that after she had taxed him with being married. Mr. Hartnett: Yss, but his. conduct aroused her suspicions. When she asked him to take her to see their home before the ceremony he told her that it was a tradition in his family that a man did not take his bride to their home until after the marriage. Dr. Ellery, called by Mr. Hartnett, said he had found to be a “prepsychotic” case. He was subject to a splitting of the personality and was subject to losing his grip on reality. He was inclined to fabrication and raising up fantastic ideas which became confused with realities. This crime was the kind of conduct one . would expect from a person in his mental state. Mr. Justice Martin: Would it affect your opinion to know that he was going home to his wife and children every day for two years and courting this girl at the same time? Dr. Ellery: It .is difficult to explain the workings of a diseased mind. At times he would realise he was married, but at other times he might think he was not. Any form of confinement might precipitate the breakdown of his mind, which was imminent. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. C. H. Book, K.C.): If he had told the police “I had no intention of marrying her, but got to love her so much that I could not give her up,” would that affect your theory? Dr. Ellery: No. I would say that would not be a true statement. Mrs. Plaisted said that during the last two years her husband had' acted like a stranger in the house.