DECLARED INSANE.

Western Star, 8 May 1925, Page 2

DECLARED INSANE.

THE KIA ORA TRAGEDY TIMARU, May o At the Supreme Court to-day Reginald Hoad (39), farm Labourer near Oamaru was charged with tho murder of his daughter Hazel (’7) in tho early morning of April 3 last. Tlie evidence showed that accused was obsessed with the idea that Hazel, of whom he was specially fond, might gain the affectiofis of sonic , man and for moro than a year lie bad made it impossible for her to speak to any man or boy. He finally became jealous of her (though there was not the slighest ground for his suspicions) that on the night in question lie killed her with a tomahawk when she was asleep in lied, at the same time shooting her with a rifle.

The evidence of two experts in mental diseases (Dr M civil lop, medical superintendent of the Sunnyside and Dr Ulrieli, of Timaru) showed tho accused to he suffering from epileptic automatism and they said that at the tinio of tho ■ tragedy lie would he unable to realise the nature or quality, of the act or to know that it, was wrong. I

Tile jury acquitted accused on the ground of insanity. Judge 1 Adams fully agreed with the verdict and ordered accused to be detained iu the Sunnyside Mental Asylum till the pleasuse of the Minister was kuQWr;,