ALLEGED MURDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 299, 1 October 1935, Page 3

ALLEGED MURDER

AUCKLAND WOMAN’S DEATH.

HER HUSBAND ACCUSED. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 30. Eric Mareo, aged 41, a musician, appeared m the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr E. K. Hunt, S.M., on remand, charged that on April 15 he did murder Thelma Clarice Mareo. After the death of Mareo’s 29-year-old wife in the Auckland Hospital an inquest was opened. Alter evidence,of identification had been taken it was adjourned sine die and has not yet been completed. Mareo was arrested on September 2. The Crown ease was conducted by Mr V. N. Hubble and Mr E. McCarthy, while Mr K. C. Aekins and Mr Trevoi Henry appeared for Mareo. It is understood that 34 witnesses will be called by the Crown, including several experts. Reginald Riddell, of the Public Works Department, produced a plan of a house, No. 1 Tenterden Avenue, Alt, Albert.

Elizabeth Patricia Mareo, aged 21, daughter of the accused, said she was born ill England, where her mother died in 1928. She left England in 1981 with the accused and her brother Graham, travelling to Sydney, where her father was an orchestral conductor until 1933, when he left on a New Zealand tour with the Ernest Rolls Theatrical Company. Her father informed her by letter that he had married Thelma Trott. Later witness and her brother came to Auckland and lived with her fatliei and stepmother. They did not get on very well with Airs Mareo, who was inclined to drink. Three weeks before the latter’s death witness had left Terterden Avenue, but used to go back * occasionally. She had tea at the house on Friday. Her father said that Airs Alareo was unwell in lied. W itness passed her in the passage wearing a dressing gown. As witness was leaving Alareo gave her an envelope, which was marked that it was not to be opened

until after his death. It contained information of her parentage. Up till then she had regarded Alareo us her father. “A General Argument/’ The first that witness heard of Airs Alareo’s death was when her brother telephoned on Monday, April 15, stating that she had been taken to hospital. ' Airs Alareo had often been in bed sick. Sometimes she would be “just dopey,” and do nothing. \\ itness remembered a week-end when Eleanor Brownlee and Freda Stark were at the house. There had been a general argument, Alareo had been drinking a little.

“1 think Mrs Alareo diu not like the idea of Eleanor Brownlee staying over the week-end,” said witness. ALs Alareo left the house with Freda Stark, and witness asked Aliss Brownlee to stop over. Mrs Alareo returned on the Sunday night. After her stepmother’s death, witness was at Tenterden Avenue oi: the Good Friday week-end. Her father, brother and Eleanor Brownlee were also there. Witness found two bottles, and, as there had been much trouble during the previous week, she removed the labels and burnt them. “1 didn’t see why the chemist should get into trouble too,” said witness. Kenneth James Bark, a grocer’s assistant, said he called as usual during the week preceding Airs Alareo’s death. When he delivered the groceries about 5 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, Airs Alareo seemed ust as usual. He had never noticed signs of liquor about her. Boris Thornton, a butcher s assistant, said he called at the house daily. He saw Airs Alareo once or twice during the week preceding her death, and she was moving about as usual. Stanley Stapleton Porter, an insurance agent, said that in 3934 Mis Alareo took out an industrial policy. Witness called every Alonday. When he called on April 15 a stranger paid the premium. There was a. fawn-coloured limousine outside the house. He .had seen Airs Alareo the previous Alpnday

in the wash-house rinsing out clothing. She was normal and in her usual spirits. After a conversation, lie posted a letter for Airs Mareo, addressed to Airs Trott, Queensland. He had never noticed liquor on Airs Mareo. No claim had been made under the insurance policy. The accused knew it was in force. Witness identified burnt paper produced by Air Hubble as part of the policy. Herbert Edwin William Smitii, a civil servant and member of Aiareo’s Orchestra, said he remembered Airs Alareo playing the lead in the opera, “The Duchess of Danzig.” He often visited the Alareos’ home. He at no time noticed signs of liquor on Alls Alareo. She sometimes took light wine, and when doing so she usually held her nose. On April 11 she was doing her work about the house, and was m good health. Eric Alareo, aged 16, said that shortly before his step-mother died slm said she was very tired and sleepy. While he was in bed on the Saturday mornino- he heard the sound of bumps from her bedroom and found her holding on to a dressing-table, and swaying and talking incoherently. He called Ins father. They helped her back to bed. Shortly after midnight on the Saturday. at his father’s request, the witness purchased sal volatile from an all-night dispensary. He telephoned for a doctor on the Alonday.

Friend’s Evidence.

Freda Stark, an intimate friend of Airs Alareo, who visited her frequently in Auckland, said Airs Alareo did not drink to excess. On one occasion when she was with Mrs Alareo the accused burst open the bedroom door and said, “You —you’ve insulted me in public. Here I'was looking for my wife and making a fool of myself.” “Mrs Mareo was very frightened and hung on to mfe,” continued the witness. The "witness went to the room and then heard Mrs Mareo crying. Mrs Alareo ran into the room, Alareo following her, and said her husband had hit her. Mrs Mareo was terrified and said, “Don’t let him get me.” Witness related another incident when Aliss Eleanor

Brownlee came to stay at the Mareos’ house. After this the witness and Mrs Alareo left the house. „ On the following day the witness returned with Airs Alareo to pack her things. Airs Alareo decided to stay and talk things over with Alareo. Miss Brownlee left soon after they arrived. Witness said she saw Alareo later, and he said: “Everything is all right between Thelma and me.” The witness sqid she had never seen Airs Alareo under the influence of liquor to such an extent that she lost her senses. During tho three weeks liefore her death Mrs Mareo seemed to be in the best of health. The witness said that about this time Airs Alareo seemed happy. On Friday, April 12, Airs Alareo was not well, and during the week-end she seemed to be half dazed. Her voice seemed very muffled, and she could not keep her eyes open. The witness talked to her to try to keep her awake. Witness told Alareo his wife was waking up, and suggested that sal volatile would bring her round properly. She was supporting Airs Alareo, who could not keep her eyes open. Witness said to her: “Open your eyes, Thelma, You’ve been asleep all day. I’ve come out to spend the week-end with you.” Air Hubble: Did she know you ? Witness: Yes. Mareo suggested telling her a funny story to keep her awake.

Mr Hubble: And you told her a funny story? Witness: Yes. The court adjourned.