INQUEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18140, 14 December 1928, Page 11

INQUEST.

DEATH OF TWO BROTHERS. By Telegraph—Frees Association. HAMILTON, Dec. 13. The inquest on the brothers Stanley Owen Chapman and Bruce Trevor on December 2, was held at Putaruru to-day. Dr S. L. Haslett stated that fumes from mbbit poison which Stanley had been using might have had a depressing effect on his mind. Eileen Chapman a sister said that about a year . .ago Stanley had a nervous breakdown. He went away 7 for two months, and recovered. His mental condition on the night of the tragedy was normal. Stanley had been burning a fumigant for rabbits, but ceased because the fumes affected his head. Witness testified to being awakened in the night and finding both brothers shot. Thomas Chapman, the father; said that .Stanley suffered 'from'.'insomnia; and ndtvousni3?s. He thought^that’ this; ail’d' the'; fumeis brought' on a sudden mental aberration ! A verdict was returned that Stanley 7 Chapman met his death .'by-a bullet wound, self-inflicted while iu.sa state of: acute - ' ftidntal depression by overwork;-, intensified • -byd inhalation «rf funies of earbin, bisulphide., improperly used for poisoning rabbits;, and that Bruce Chapman met his death by a gunshot wound apparently 7 inflicted by Stanley whilst the latter- was in. 'alEstate; of acute mental degression, i> t