SON'S STORY.
MRS. MAREO'S ILLNESS.
INCIDENTS IN BEDROOM.
DOCTOR TELEPRONED
The story of Mrs. Mareo's illness during the week-end before lier death was told by accused's l(i-year-old son, Graham Eric Mareo, who said that until recently he lived with his father at 8, Waterloo Quadrant. Up to the time of his step-mother's death witness attended the Auckland Grammar School.
"When wc rrrst arrives ti: sew Zealand," witness said, "we lived at Buckland's Beach, then a Svmonds Street boardinghouse, and later Tenterden Avenue. I do not know much about my step-mother's health."
Mr. Hubble: Did you notice her ill just before she died? Witness: She said she was very tired and sieepy. Were you there on the Friday before she died?—l don't know. I was at school. Were you home Friday evening?— Yes. Did you sec anything of her?—A little. She was in bed, but she got ujj and was moving about at times. Heard a Couple of Bumps. You heard something when you were in bed about eight o'clock on Saturday morning?— Yes. I heard a couple of bumps from her bedroom. Whero was your father? —Having a bath. What did you do when you heard the second bump?—l went into her room to see if she was all right. When you went into lier room aid you see her?— Yes, she was out of bed. She was by the dressing table. What was she doing?— Standing. Was she steady or was she swaying? —She was swaying and hanging on to the drawer. What did you do? —I asked her if she was all right. She did not seem to be coherent. Did she speak at all? —She just mumbled. How would you describe her method of speech ?—Slow. Did you notice whether her eyes were open or not? —I can't remember. Did she speak cense or nonsence ? — Nonsense. Did you notice any smell of liquor?— No. "Where's the Curry?" Did you call out to your father? — Yes. Why ?—Because she would not leave the dressing table. We both helped her to bed. What happened then? —She just went to sleep. Were those two bumps the first movement you heard in the room that morning?— Yes. You were just awake when you heard the two bumps? —Yes. Can you remember what Mrs. Mareo said when you heard her talking nonsense? —Yes, she said, "Where's the curry?" Did your father say anything to you about her condition at the time? —I can't remember.
Were you at homo all that Saturday morning"?— No, I went to town for about two hours. You were home on the Saturday afternoon? —Yes. Do you remember Miss Freda Stark coming out? —She came about 5 o clock and went back on the Sunday night. Did you see your stepmother out of bed after the incident in the morning that day?— Only late in the evening. As far as I know she was in bed all day. Who was in the house on the Saturday evening?— Myself, Freda Stark— Was your father out?—l think he was out part of the evening.^ In answer to further questions, witness said he went to bed about 3 a.m. on the Sunday, although lie started to go to bed about midnight. He might have gone into his step-mother's room before that. His father was home before witness commenced to go to bed. His father asked him to go and get some sal volatile. That was about 1.30 a.m. or 2 a.m. Witness purchased a bottle of sal volatile at the All Night Dispensary and gave it to his father. Where did you hand it to your father ? —I can't remember. Did you go into your step-mother's bedroom ?—Yes. Who was there?— Freda Stark and my father. Did you see them using the sal volatile ? —No. Step-mother Partly Awake. What was your step-mother's condition at that time?? —She was partly awn kc. Was she speaking? —I can't remember. Did she have anything at all to cat on the Saturday night?—We tried to give .her some bread and butter, but I don't think she ate it. Who got the bread and butter for her?— Either my father or Freda Stark. Witness added that Mrs. Marco was unable to drink milk which his father obtained for her. Witness gave her the milk himself, while Freda Stark was propping her up. Who got the milk ready?— Either Freda Stark or my father. You did give a cup of milk yourself?— Yes. Who brought your milk in?—My father. What did Freda Stark do with her milk?—l threw half of it out of the window. She did not want it. While this was going on was your step-mother saying anything?— Yes, she was just mumbling. You mention about the milk. Afterwards did she want to sleep?— Yes, she appeared to be just the same. She wanted to sleep. After the milk, did you assist her to get up?—l can't remember. Tt may have been before or after. With Freda Stark-I helped her to the lavatory. Was it diflicnlt to get her to' her feet?— Not very. , Assisted to Walk. In what manner did you take her out? —We each had one of her arms over our shoulder. Did she speak to you?—l don't think so. How was she taken back to the bedroom?— The same way. Was your father in the house?— Yes. That night do you know if anyone slept with your step-mother?— Both Freda Stark and mv father. He had an armchair by the bed. You were there most of the Sunday? —Yes. I was there most of the time. Did you go into your step-mother's room? —Yes, in the afternoon. llow did she seem? —Just asleep. Did you ever see her awake again after the Saturday night milk incident? —No. Was your father home on the Sunday?—l think so. Was he out during the morning?— I can't remember. Who was there on the Sunday?—My father, Freda Stark, myself and my mother. Freda Stark went home on the Sunday evening?— Yes, about 9.30. Oil the Mondav you were home till the afternoon? —Yes. You had made an arrangement with Freda Stark about telephoning?— Yes; T rang her on the Monday at 12 o'clock. I used Mrs. Knight's telephone next door. Did you 'phone anyone else ? —I had telephoned a doctor. When did you first try to get a doctor? —On the Monday. What time? —I can't remember. What doctor?— Dr. Murphy, but he was out. Did you ring any other doctor? —No. Did anyone else ring Dr. Murphy? — Yes. Miss Brownlee. She arrived about eleven o'clock. Do you remember Freda Stark arriving on tlie Monday?— She arrived about two o'clock. She went into the bedroom. What did she do after seeing your stepmother?— She thought we had better get a doctor, and my father rang up from Mrs. Knight's. Were you there when the doctor came? —Yes. Dr. Dreardon arrived. The hearing was then adjourned until 2.15 p.m.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 30 September 1935, Page 8
Word Count
1,163SON'S STORY. Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 231, 30 September 1935, Page 8
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