WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 31, 6 February 1941, Page 6

WOMAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

DEATH OF HUSBAND ALLEGED STABBING WITH A KNIFE KXTDENCE AS TO HIS DRINKING HABITS [ Ter Frfes Association. I WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. In the Wellington Supreme Court Jean Laurentme. aged 31. was charged with the murder of her husband. Francis Norman Laurentine. aged 36, waterside worker, on November 2. Mr. Justice Johnston presided. Or. O. C. Mazengarb. with Mr. N. T. Gillespie. is defending the accused. The Crown, which is represented by Mr. C. H. Weston. K.C., is calling 12 witnesses. Outlining the case for the Crown. Mr. Weston recapitulated the exents regarding the return of the couple from a trotting meeting at Hutt Park, their being heard to be quarrelling and the accused subsequentlyappealing to a neighbour to get a doctor quickly as she had stabbed her busband. He said the accused apparently was very much under the influence of liquor and very hysterical, and mentioned how she accompanied Laurentine tn hospital, where he subsequently died.

Husband Addicted to Drink. One of the witnesses, Mr. H. R. Avery, who was a neighbour of the Laurentines, under cross-examination by Dr. Mazengarb, who appeared tor tne accused, said that Laurentine had been addicted to liquor, and in recent months had been very drunk. Quite frequently he brought liquor home, and when he was drunk one had to be very careful in conversation with him, as he became violent when displeased. In the last three months before the tragedy witness could hardly recall one occasion when he had seen Laurentine sober. He had drinking bouts, and frequently became ill as a result, and, in the following days, his wife would stay at home irom work to see to his meals. Witness thought she gave Laurentine more attention than he deserved. Under the influence of liquor Laurentine had a rather nasty habii of showing spite. Towards the end the couple had verylittle to show for lheir combined earnings, but if there was any squandering of money it was done by Laurentine in his drinking bouts. Witness had been told that accused had been saving money for the grave of their child who died three years ago, but he believed Laurentine found the money and used it for drink. Witness could see no reason why a woman should stick to a man like Laurentine, but the impression he gained was that she had the greatest affection for him. Opening the case for the’ defence. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb said that not all killing was At the other end of the chain there was justifiable homicide, as in the cases of a soldier v. ho kills an enemy, a sheriff, or someone, who protected his life from attack. There was also such a thing as excusable homicide, as in the case of death by accident.

Self-Protection First Law of Nature Self-protection was the first law of nature. This woman was trying to protect herself from unprovoked assault. Her husband was very drunk. He struck her. She was down twice «• in falling, her head came in cont: with a knife and she used it to wt„ i off further blows. **iou have to judge something that happened in a few seconds.” continued Dr. Mazengarb, addressing the jury , "but you have to judge also by what happened in the next hour and what had happened throughout their married life.” M.Clle Dooley, of Ngaio said that some years ago she and her husband kept a hotel at Nelson. A girl named Jean Clark worked for them as housemaid. She was well-s*jken and wellbehaved. When she met this girl, some years later, she looked like an old woman and witness wanted her to come and live with her. Witness Breaks Down. Al this stage witness broke down. “You would be prepared to look after her now?” said Dr. Mazengarb. “Yes.” responded the witness. Nora Reid said that accused was a niece of hers by marriage, and had been brought up by witness. Her husband seemed fond of her. and she absolutely adored him. During the past eight months Laurentine had been drinking very heavily. His wife always made excuses for him and would not have a word said against him.

Rene Yianakis said that, a years ago. she conducted an apartment house in Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Laurentine rented rooms in her house for a time. I-aurentine, when drunk, used to become very argumentative. and, at times, would illtreat his wife. He used to hit his wife on the back of the neck, as he said the bruises would not show. After the death of lheir boy Laurentine’s drinking habits became accentuated- She had never seen Mrs. Laurentine take any intoxicating liquor. When sober Laurentine was very nice and fascinating. Argumentative When Drunk. Hugh McGillivray, carpenter, saiu that he was an unde of the accuser by marriage. Laurentine, when drunk, would be very argumentative and abusive. Frederick Miller, seaman and waterside worker, said he had known Laurentine for 16 years, for the last five of which the\ had worked together on the Wellington waterfront. His average earnings would be about 17 a w eek. As a result of his'drinking habits Laurentine had been more than once penalised on the waterfront. When drunk he was offensive and cantankerous, and often did not know what he was doing. On one occasion he had disfigured his wife's face so badly that she could not go io work. For some days he was veryremorseful after the occurrence. The hearing will be resumed tomorrow morning.