MAREO CHARGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 30 September 1935, Page 8

MAREO CHARGED

WIFE MURDER ALLEGED.

MUSICIAN IN POLICE COURT DOCK.

EVIDENCE BY ACCUSED'S SON.

INCIDENTS IN STEP-MOTHER'S BEDROOM.

The charge that he murdered his 29-year-old wife, Thelma Clarice Mareo, was faced by the well-known Auckland musician Eric Mareo, aged 41, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day.

Evidence given by a number of witnesses this morning indicated that Mrs. Mareo, who was well known in theatrical circles, was.in her usual state of health the week before her death in the Auckland Hospital on Monday, April 15. Just before the luncheon adjournment Mareo's 16-year-old son, Graham, told of his step-mother's illness on the Saturday and Sunday before her death.

An envelope which had been handed by Mareo to a girl who is known as Miss Mareo was produced. On it was written, "Not to be opened unless you hear of my death." This witness added that until she received that envelope she had always believed Mareo to be her father.

Dressed in ci striped navy blue suit, Mareo, wearing powerful horn-rimmed glasses, sat in the dock and throughout the morning wrote continuously in a large black-covered exercise book.

As Miss Mareo entered the witness box she and accused exchanged smiles.