WOMAN SHOT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20863, 20 October 1937, Page 6

WOMAN SHOT

MURDERER FOUND INSANE By Telegraph Pres* Association DUNEDIN, October 19 The Crown's case in the w’”? murder charge against Arthur Richardson was concluded in the Supreme Court today. It followed almost wholly on the lines of the evidence In the lower court. The evidence of John Wilson Bagley, coalminer, of Otokia, as to the actual shooting was that Mrs Lobb, the victim's dying daughter, was in bed. Mrs Richardson was sitting at the foot of the bed, and witness was standing at the head. Accused came to the door saying: “You put Constable Southgate on to me, you b , take that.” Witness could hardly hear him come into the house. The noise was that of a man who wanted to come in on the quiet. Witness didn’t see accused, but saw six Inches of gun barrel, as if it was pointed from the shoulder. When the gun was discharged witness rushed round to Mrs Richardson, who was dying. Cross-examined, witness said that on the Friday preceeding the tragedy, Constable Southgate was sent for because accused was acting like a madman, and annoying the sick woman. His conduct was so eculiar as to suggest that it was not caused altogether by drink. After hearing expert evidence as to the mental state of the accused, the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, and the prisoner was ordered to be detained in strict custody until the pleasure of the Minister of Justice was made known.