HUSBAND'S RASH ACTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17571, 15 May 1919, Page 5

HUSBAND'S RASH ACTION.

ATTACK ON HIS WIFE

(Per.Press Association.) Wellington; May 14

At the Supreme Court John James Joseph Lee was charged with having attempted to murder his wife, Olive Alicia Lee on February 27.

Mr. Macassey, who prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, said the accused had been on service in Samoa, and upon his return married his present wife. He then wk>nt again on active service, and upon his return in March, 1918, made accusations against his wife. The accusations, said Mr. Macassey, were absolutely without foundation. While his wife was ill the accused treated her with consideration, but at other tiroes he displayed great jealousy. Ultimately his wife decided to leave him and instituted proceedings with the idea of securing a legal separation. The actual offence was alleged to have taken place in Constable Street when he was in conversation with his wife in a doorway. It was alleged he cut her about the. throat and face and hands with a razor.

Olivia Alicia Lee gave evidence as to her relations with accused, whom she said was very suspicious of her, and made her a perfect prisoner. He made grave and absolutely untrue alegations against her, so ultimately she left him as she thought he was insane. In all she, lei: him three times. On one occasion Lee said he would never let her get out of the house alive if she attempted to leave him, and if she did get away he would do for her in the end, as he would follow her all over New.Zealand; also he said if she did not go to her mother's house he would be quite different to her.

Counsel for the defence called no witnesses. He said the effect of illness suffered by Lee and hardships he had endured had resulted in his mind becoming distracted and unhiuged. This in conjunction to the domestic troubles had made him irritable and possibly unreasonable.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty of1 wounding and prisoner was remanded to Saturday for sentence.