Queen v Meauri [1955] PGSC 3 (10 September 1955)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE
TERRITORY OF PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA

THE QUEEN v. MIRIA MEAURI

JUDGMENT

In this case the accused is shared with unlawfully killing his wife Aro Warupi.

It is quite plain that the family were outside the house and the mother (his wife) had bathed the child. The child was crying and the husband told his wife to put the child in the string bag, which apparently the mother did not at once proceed to do. The mother had slapped the child on the buttocks, but not a hard blow. This angered the accused, and he went over and hit the woman with his clenched fists, quite considerable blows - one on the right eye, one on the right side of the stomach and one on the left side of the stomach, just below the line of the ribs.

Now we are aware that that area is a dangerous area for people who live here, because of the enlargement of the spleen, and a comparatively light blow might bring about fatal results.

Unfortunately here we have no medical testimony as to the state of the internal organs, but the Medical Assistant has given testimony that the lady appeared as though it had been drained of blood, as might occur if there had been internal bleeding.

The death of the woman followed so swiftly upon the blow without the benefit of medical testimony, I have come to the Conclusion that the evidence before me satisfies me beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman died as a result of an unlawful blow struck her by the husband. They were blows of the fist, and medical testimony points out, and experience shows, that that is quite sufficient to bring about her death, and I find, in fact, that it did.

Accused, I find you guilty and sentence you to 9 months imprisonment with hard labour.

J.

10.9.55 Kairuku.