OTOKIA TRAGEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 8

OTOKIA TRAGEDY

MARRIED WOMAN’S DEATH TRIAL OF HUSBAND COMMENCED [ Per Press Association. | DUNEDIN, Oct. 18. The trial of Arthur Richardson on a charge o£ murdering his wife, Jessie Richardson, at Otokia about July 17 was commenced in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Justic Kennedy. Mr. J. B. Adams, crown prosecutor, conducted the case for the Crown and accused, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. O. G. Stevens. Mr. Adams, in his opening address, said that the facts of the case as they related to the killing ot Mrs. Richardson were not likely to be in dispute. The real point would probably be the question of the mental condition of accused at the time the killing took place. Evidence was given on the same lines as in the lower Court. Dennis Tipping Stewart, house surgeon, Dunedin Hospital, said that during the two months accused was treated for gunshot wounds in the chest, he gave no sign of insanity. Witness, however, would not dispute the medical opinion that accused was suffering from enfeeblemen.t of the mind due to alcoholism.

Thomas William nobb, son-in-law of accused, described the events leading up to the alleged crime. Prior to this accused's behaviour was not such as to make witness think he should have been returned to the mental home. Edward Richardson and William Arthur Richardson, sons of accused described incidents in past years which about two years ago lead to their father being placed in a mental home, where he remained for nine months before being released on probation. For some time after his discharge he did not drink much but began to drink heavily again some months before the tragedy. Before committal to the institution he had several times threatened members of his family. Early his year he began to take queer turns, developing a vacant look. He did not seem mentally sound by any means. The Court adjourned until to-mor-row.