Biography

John Psichitsas, husband of Sophia, left Lawlers on December 17 to make a journey from Lawlers to Leonora, a distance of 80 miles, which would take him three days, leaving his wife and child at home. His brother, Stelios, who usually slept in a bough shed at the back of the shop, was in his employ and it was arranged that during John's absence, his brother was to sleep in the shop, behind the counter, as Mrs Psichitsas was a very nervous woman. John returned from Leonora on the 22nd of December and identified the remains of his wife and child at the hospital. Constable Streckfuss narrated the conversation that passed between himself and Stelios Psichitsas, the accused (brother of John), at the lock-up, wherein, Stelios, who began the conversation, said, "I killed her, tomahawk first, razor afterwards, razor killed woman, baby kill, me too." Sophia and her child had been murdered by her brother-in-law at Lawlers. He was executed at Fremantle Prison on 15 April 1903. The day before his execution, Stelios Psichitsas made a full confession of his crime to the Greek Priest.. He said that his brother John had brought him out from America some 11 months ago to assist him in his shop. He was then on very friendly terms with him and his wife. Lately, however, there had been several quarrels and Mrs Psichtsas wanted him to live elsewhere. He remarked that he would agree to leave the house if everything was settled up satisfactorily, but the money which was owed him was refused. His brother John left for Leonora on December 17. and with a sudden impulse, he rushed out into the yard, snatched a tomahawk and struck the woman over the head with it. He then secured a razor and gashed her throat. The baby in the cot began to cry, and the murderer immediately decided to kill it in order that it might be quiet too. Stelios then took the murder weapons with the intention of ending his own life but failed to do so. Mrs Psichitsas was buried in Plot 43, Section C, 6th row west of the cemetery.