CHARGE OF MURDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 137, 11 June 1937, Page 8

CHARGE OF MURDER

DEATH OF AGED WOMAN HER HUSBAND ACCUSED [ Per Press /Association. ] AUCKLAND, June 10. Charged with the murder of his wife, Mary Elizabeth Gage-Brown, aged 87, at Auckland on April 5, William Percy Gage-Brown, aged 70, appeared at the Police Court thL morning, before Mr. Wyvern Wilson. Mr. V. ri. Hubble prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. A. H. Johnstone, K.C., solicitor to the Public Trust Office, appeared lor accused, who wa.. given a chair in the deck. Joan Kathleen Chalmers, nurse, who sometimes attended accused when he was a patient at the Auckland Mental Hospital, gave evidence that early in April she left the hospital s.aix and ootained a position as nurse and housekeeper with accused and his wife at their home at Epsom. She was awakened by a noise at 6.3 U a.m. Sue entered Mrs. Gage-Brown’s bedroom and saw her lying on her back on the floor and her husband sitting on her chest with a 41b. weight in his hand. She saw him strike his wife on the head two or three times. Witness pulled him oft and went to the window and called for help. He got away from witness at the window, sat down by his wife, and held her hand. Both the GageBrowns were in their nlgnt attire. While accused was sitting on the floor witness telephoned for Dr. Roche. As she returned she saw Gage-Brown pick up the weight again, saying, “She is still alive. I must finish her.” At this stage two men came into help witness, and took accused to the bedroom, following which a constable and Dr. Roche arrived. Mrs. Gage-Brown was unconscious when taken by the ambulance to the hospital. Dr. Edward Henry Roche gave evidence that Mrs. Gage-Brown was his aunt. Accused was committed to a mental hospital in November, 1935, suffering from delusions. Witness did not consider he was suicidal or dangerous at that time. Mr. Wyvern Wilson: “Were you one of the certifying doctors?” Witness: “No, sir, I was not.” Witness said that in February, 1937, on the application of Mrs. GageBrown her husband was allowed to return home subject to a nurse being engaged to look after him. Witness saw him weekly. At firsl he appeared excited, but he gradually settled down to a normal condition. Witness visited him on Sunday, April 4, in response to a summons from Miss Chalmers. He was told that accused had threatened his wife with a tomahawk. Accused gave him what appeared to be a rational explanation, stating that he was only being a bit theatrical. He was normal them. Witness told them that it would be necessary for him to go into a home. He said he would return next day and show them the homes available. Mrs. Gage-Brown was agreeable, but witness forgot whether accused was or not. Witness described accused’s condition next morning after his wife had been > jured.