ERIC MAREO'S ARREST

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 234, 3 October 1935, Page 8

ERIC MAREO'S ARREST

"THIS IS RIDICULOUS."

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL

REMARKABLE. ACCUSATION MADE.

LOWER COURT HEARING ENDS TO-DAY.

Details of the dramatic arrest of Eric Mareo, the Auckland musician, aged 44, charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., with wife-murder, were given by Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn in evidence at the Lower Court hearing to-day. When the detective read over the warrant to Mareo charging him with murder, accused said, "Really! On what evidence? This is ridiculous. What evidence have you got?" Mareo, who was arrested at the flat of Miss Brownlee, said they were ;ust on their way to the pictures. Five further statements made by Mareo to detectives before his arrest were read to the Court bv Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn. Mareo was committed for trial.

END TO-DAY.

LAST DETECTIVE. THIRTY-SIX WITNESSES. KEEN PUBLIC INTEREST. When the Court adjourned for lunch to-day tho last witness but one, Detective Pv. J. Hamilton, was in the witnessbox, chiefly giving corroboration of the evidence of Detective-Sergeant Meiklejolin. Brief evidence is to "be given by Detective J. 3. McLean, after which the Lower Court hearing will end. Keen public interest was again shown, a group of men and women waiting for the door to the public entrance to open from shortly after 9 o'clock. As the time for tho restarting of the hearing approached. the crowd swelled. Mareo, who continues to write in his exercise book, is charged that On Monday, April 15, at Auckland, he did murder Thelma Clarice Mareo Tho Crown case is being conducted by Mr. V. N. Hubble and Mr. F. McCarthy, while accused is represented by Mr. K. C. Aeklns and Mr. Trevor Henry. Accused's Alleged Statements, When tho hearing was resumed this morning, Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejolin continued his evidence. In connection with the taking of the first statement Mai;eo said, "I don't want this, to go down, but between us my wife was fonder of women than men— you know what I mean." Witness made a search of the grounds as well as the house, but found no small bottles or none which might have contained a brown mixture. "When we were about to leave accused thanked us for our treatment of him," he said.

While accused was reading and signing his statement, said witness, Detective McLean was in the front room. On April 10 I attended the post mortem on Mrs. Mareo's body and afterwards 1 received three jars and'test tubes containing organs and samples, from Dr. Gilmour. These I handed to the Government analyst on the same date. Witness identified the various exhibits. Witness jiext went to Mareo'a house on Good Friday, April 19, with Detective McLean, and saw accused. Miss Brown 100 was in the front room. Graham Mareo was also in the house. Witness had a scries of questions which he intended to ask Mareo, Miss Brownlee and Graham Mareo. He started to ask accused these questions; asking him if he had read the account in the "Auckland Star" .and what Betty had said at the opening of the inquest. Witness said it was a pity she said that, as people were commenting on what she said. "I told him that my inquiries showed that Mrs. Mareo did not drink as much as had been said,"said Detec-tive-Sergeant Meiklejohn. "With this Marco agreed." 1 "A little later Miss Mareo came ir.to the house," continued the detective. She was admitted to the front room and introduced by Marco to Detective McLean and me. She kissed and hugged accused. He said to her after looking nt us. 'You will visit me at the prison, won't you Betty?' She said. Or course, dacldy.' Aceusert said to Mi * Mareo, referring to the evidence she had given at the inquest. 'Why did you say all that about poor Thelnia V" She said. "They told me that I had to and 1 did it to protect you, daddy." Marco said she should not have said so much. Witness went on to complete the statement. Accused gave the ■Mowers and saw witness writing them "own. Hu then carefully read over both -utestions and answers'and Mareo said i that they wer» correct. k

Mareo Answers Questions. Tho series of questions asked by Detective-Sergeant Meiklejolin and Marco's answers follow 1 : — "Had your wife any property?— Nothing. "Was she insured? —1/ per week, equal to about £30. "We are not concerned with prosecuting a chemist for any offence but with definitely clearing up the death of your wife; can you tell us s \\here you bought tho veronal tablets?—l will if asked to do so on oath. "How many times have you visited tho chemist friend from whom you bought the tablets ? —I got veronal tablets fr.)m three chemists before April 1, 1935.

"Whero did you first meet him?— Casually going into his shop. "Is lie interested in music?— Not that I know of.

"Are you definite that your wife was in an unconscious sleeping state all Sunday and up to the time sho. was taken to hospital?—l did not see her all Sunday as I was out in the morning. She did not come to to my knowledge. "Was Miss Brownlee a friend of your wife? —Yes. Undoubtedly. "Did she ever have a quarrel with her? —Not to my knowledge. "Has sho often visited your home? — Yes, quite often, but not for two months prior to Mrs. Mareo's death. "How long have you been taking veronal tablets?— Only about throe weeks prior to my wife's death. "Who recommended you to take veronal ? —A chemist.

"Who was your wife's,best friend in New. Zealand?— Freda Stark. "Why did your wife consult Dr. Walton? —Mrs. Knight recommended Dr. Walton when my wife fainted. Nervous exhaustion. "How often during your marriage have you-seen your wife in a sound sleep all day without wakening or for days without being able to rouse her?— Several times owing to drink.

"Did Not See Her Up." "You wore practically with your wife all Sunday aucl Monday while slip was unconscious. Could she have jot out of bed and taken any medicine while in her condition ? —I did not see her jet up. lam not in a position to say. "When did you first suspect that your wife may have taken drugs other than alcohol? —Not at all. First came to me when Dr. Dreadon asked me. He mentioned veronal. "If so, what did you think she may have taken? —-Just alcohol. "How many tablets had you in the bottle which you handed to the police from your pocket before you commenced to use them from- that bottle? —Twenty-four tablets. "You say you have only been using them for three weeks? —Yes. "Did you use only one a night?— Yes.

"During the three weeks would you have used" 21 ?—Yes. "All from the bottle you had in your pocket? —I don't remember. "Did you replenish the bottle with other tablets from the other bottle in the trunk ? —I may have taken some from the bottle in the trunk. "If so, when?—l cannot say. "Are you positive that your wife did not take drugs to make her sleep?— She took no drugs—but drank alcohol. "Is it true that you have been taking drugs heavily since last Wednesday, the 10th inst., and was in a stupor up till Friday ? —Only one tablet at night. I have been drinking spirits. Questions About Drugs. "Have you eVer seen your wife with any drugs ? —No. "What chemist (lid your wife deal with?—No particular 1 chemist. "You said that a chemist told you that your wife would sleep for four days after giving her certain pills. Who was this chemist?—lf I did make this statement I retract. "Have you ever bought any medicine from any person to bring on your wife's miscarriage ? —No. "You were with your wife until she was taken to hospital on Monday? — Yes. All day Monday. "You saw a box which you say contained fonr tablets and two of which you have given to the police. Yoii say you last saw the box and tablets on Sunday. Where are the tablets and box now? —I have no idea where they are.

"Have you any further information to give us in connection' with the purchase and whereabouts of the bottle containing brown liquid (dope) ? —No. "Has Miss Brownlee slept week nights at your house?— Yes. "Has she slept there during weekends?— Only one night at a time. Miss Brownlee Mentioned. "Did your wife object, to Miss Brownlee coming to your house?—l don't know. "Did your wife order her away on any occasions? —Not to iny knowledge. "Did Betty Mareo tell Miss Brownlee to leave yWr house?— No. "Miss Stark denies taking a bottle of whisky to your home, but says that on one.occasion you gave lier two bottles of sherry to take home to her?— 1 have not seen Freda Stark bring whiskv here. 1 arranged with Freda Stark to brintr two bottles of sherry here.

"Mies Stark denies that Cards were played during the week-end your wifewas ill?—I cannot vouch for this. Graham, my son, would know.

"When ringing Miss Stark on April ll>, did you advise her to say that she was not in a lit state to make a statement tho previous night, and told her to be very caron;! of wlr.it sho said us it was serious?—l don't rememiier saying this.

•'Ho you pay Miss Biownlee a weekly wage, or has she been orking for you for nothing lately?— Since we iU : t the theatre she has not been paid by me. Before this she received week-lj wages at St. James'.

"Is it true that your wife Lad £500 in the bank when you were married? Did she give it to y.-u and Vivo you spent it all? —£400 was the amount she drew out and 1 banked it. It is ail gone, the most of it spent in a ear and alcohol. "is it truo r iiat be f ore coming to New Zealand you got £300 from a woman named Irene Stone, who was sharing tho same flat in Sydney?-—This money was a pay back of a loan. Further Interviews. Witness again made inquiries from chemists' shops in the city. On April 21 lie went to Miss Brownlee's room at Wynyard Street. She opened the door and witness asked for Mareo. He came to tho door and was asked to come outside. "I asked him certain particulars land told him I had been making inquiries from chemists and had located one shop where lie had bought veronal tablets," said Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn. "I told accused I would have to bring up his mane at ail the chemists; in the city and suburbs if he woull not disclose where he purchased veronal. lie said if that were the case he would tell me where he made the purchases. He said he bought two lots jiorn a chemist near ths Town Hall. I. asked him to write '1 jwn in my notebook the purchases other than the one I told him about. This ho did and I produce the note. This referred to two chemist shops, although he. led me to believe he bought them from three chemists."

'"On April 30 I went to Waterloo Quadrant and then to Miss Brownlce's room in Wynyard Street, where I saw accused. To deal with one matter he had to go to Waterloo Quadrant and Miss Brownlee drove us round. While we were waiting Marco said, "Oh, Mr. Meiklejolin, don't you think my wife could have taken veronal tablets in mistake, for aspirins?" "I said, 'Mr. Mareo, .the aspirins were in the scullery and you had the veronal tablets hidden in a suitcase high up on a shelf in tho wash-house.' "He made no reply to this." Mrs. Mareo's Last Meal. "On May S, at tho request of the Government analyst, I went to WaterToo Quadrant and saw accused," tho detective continued. "I told him the analyst wanted to know what tho last meal was that Mrs. Mareo had eaten. Graham Mareo was in the room. At that time accused could not remember.

He later rang me at the detective office and said he remembered the last meal his wife had had was fish and chips on the Friday night, bought by Graham. He said he had supplied the meal after it had been heated up. He said as far as he could remember she had eaten the meal. On May 20, Detective Hamilton and I made further search of the house in Tenterden Avenue. The house was unoccupied. In a rubbish heap I found the remains of a burnt life insurance policy. I took possession of the contents of the kitchen grate and aslipan." Bottles Under House. On the same day, said witness. Detective Hamilton showed him two bottles which witness had previously soon under the house on April 15. They bore the same prescription number and each had the same distinctive smell as two bottles of which witness took possession on April 15. Witness detailed the finding of other articles, including a mattress. Again on June 5 witness and Detective Hamilton saw accused, who was with Miss Brownlee at her

room in Wynvard Street. Mareo was interviewed and made and signed a statement, taken by Detective Hamilton. Marco said, when they first entered the room, "What do you think, somebody rang up the other day and wanted to know if I had been arrested." He said Miss Brownlee answered the phone. "I asked Mareo if lie had ever given his wife any veronal, and he said 'Oh, no.' " Mareo's Third Statement. A summary of Mareo's third statement follows: — "My wife has suffered from her appendix. I first knew of this before we \vero married, because she used to take paraffin and told mo. My wife started to drink more than usual when we first went to Buckland's Beach. . . . She has been under the influence of liquor at the theatre while I was conducting on several occasions. I. do not know of any person who has seen her there under that condition. ... I do not know if there was any liquor in the house for a fortnight before her death. I believe it was there, but I did not make a scarcli for it. I cannot remember if I bought any liquor on the fortnight before her death. "I probably bought a bottle of whisky which I gave Freda Stark to take back to Tenterden Avenue to my wife. I saw that my wife appeared intoxicated on Friday morning, April 12, her symptoms being the ones I usually saw in her after alcohol. I thought that my wife's condition was brought about by secret drinking in view of the fact that I had not, as far as T can remember, at this period supplied her with any liquor. I cannot remember whether I saw my wife take alcohol during the fortnight prior to her death. I thought she appeared in a drunken sleep on Saturday morning. By drinking bout symptoms t mean that she appeared dull, heavy, and wanted to be left alone to sleep it off. . . . Wife Given Milk. "The only liquid that my wife had on Saturday evening was some milk. 1 do not remember who prepared the milk, ft may have been anyone in the house, including myself. ... I think it was on Sunday, April 14, that Freda Stark first suggested getting a doctor. That is the only time I remember it being suggested by her. I don't remember what my wife said after she was given the sal volatile on the Saturday evening. I only know of my wife being given some milk on the Saturday -evening prior to being taken to the lavatory. 1 do not know how much she took of this milk.

"I do not remember if my wife had anything to eat or drink on the Sunday, April 14. It is probable that she did not have anything to eat on this date. I would go out about 10 a.m. and return about 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. 1 went out on business. I cannot remember now whom 1 saw. T do not remember the last time I looked at my wife on Sunday night, and I do not remember what time J awoke or got up on Monday morning prior to the. ambulance arriving. . . . The first time that it occurred to me that my wife was reallv ill v as on Monday, April 15. "I Got the Wind Up." I don t remember being in her room except on one occasion when I found her looking for an egg in a drawer. I do not remember what she looked like (luring the Sunday afternoon or evening. On the Monday morning she looked an unhealthy colour, and I got the wind up. 1 thought something had happened to her appendix, and I sent for a doctor. She appeared to be sleeping heavily, but

it was her unusual colour that concerned me. ... I had never taken more than one veronal tablet at a time per day, and some days I would not have any. I had no veronal tablets other than those kept in a suitcase except those which t handed to the police. I did not show Dr. Dreadon the tablets that I had in my personal possession because I did not think of them owing to the necessity of getting the ambulance as quickly as possible.

"My wire did not leave any will, as she had nothing to leave. I was worried over my financial position after leaving the theatre, and I am pretty heavily in debt through the loss of musical concerts and "The Duchess of Dantzie" production. ... I cannot say if Miss Brownlee saw my wife on the Monday, but 1 know that she was not there long. ... I have never on any occasion slapped my wife's face. It is quite possible that 1 was in Miss BrownIce's company on Friday, Saturday and Monday, as we were writing a scenario. It may have been at lier address at Wynvard Street. My daughter Betty was not biased towards my wife, and to all intents and purposes they got on quite amicably together. I am almost certain that I did not promise Betty that I w.ouhl never remarry." Defective-Sergeant Mciklcjohn said Marco read the statement over "and signed it. Marco's Fourth Statement. f)n June 7 Detective-Sergeant Meiklejolin and Detective Hamilton went to Waterloo Quadrant to complete questioning accused on the lines of the statement taken two days previously. .Mareo made a further statement, of which a summary follows:—

"I have never bought anything from the chemist, Mr. I). G. Morgan. My wife never complained to me about Miss Brownlee telling her the correct way or showing her how to cook corned beef. Mrs. Mareo did not say anything to me about Jliss Brownlee bringing me home one Saturday when I was intoxicated on tile night she left home with Freda Stark, but my suggestion to Miss Brownlee that she should write a note to Mrs. Mareo was prompted b.v a sense of the fitness of things, in that I had apparenly made a Tool of myself . . .

Mareo proceeded in the statement to declare that his wife practised lesbianism anil mentioned instances when his suspicions of her improper behaviour with-another woman were aroused. He added: "I knew definitely through having been told by my wife before we were married that she was a lesbian." Twice Bought Veronal. "I do not remember how long after being given the warm milk on' Saturday. the 13th, that my wife went to the lavatory. I have no idea how long after she had the milk that she went to sleep. As far as I can now say tlie first lot of veronal tablets I bought were purchased at a chemist's in the

city. I cannot give the date. I cannot remember the quantity. The tablets were in a big bottle that the police now have. ... 1 placed the bottle in a suitcase to keep it out of the way. 1 do not remember if I took any of this bottle before I made another purchase. 1 made another purchase of veronal within a few days at the same shop before April I.' The reason that 1 bought this second supply was that I heard that after April 1, it would be impossible to purchase them without a doctor's prescription. Ido not know how many I bought the second time. I do not remember the tale I told when I bought them, but it is possible I gave an excuse for purchasing tiiem so quickly. The excuse that I gave would he incorrect. . . .

"I do not remember if I replenished die bottle that I was carrying in my pocket from the bottle in the suitcase. As far as I know no person knew I was taking veronal tabi'ts or that I had them in the house or :i; ;ny possession. I only remember seeing my wife up CO' two occasions between the Friday and the Monday, o/ire when sho went into the ]avi;>-y wiOi I'reJ-i Stark riv(l Graham, ami the ether time when I found her standing by the dressing tabic looking for eggs. I cannot give an opinion as to whether my wife could have got lip at othc-r times during that wetv-ciui, us. 1 was one part of the time and. sleeping at other time* during the night. ... It i° possible I telephoned Miss Brownlee to cone to the house on Monday morning because I would know that I was not going out owing to waiting for the doctor. I telephoned from Mrs. Knight's, next door. 'For Sentimental Reasons.' "All my wife's clothes 1 ga\c to Freda Stark, except the nightdress which she was wearing when she died, which waa washed, by the hospital authorities, and which 1 burned on that date, April 10, for sentimental reasons.

"I have read this over, and as far as I know it is t"..c in every detail."

Detect ivc-Sergeant Meiklcjohn said that Mai eo read the statement over and signed it.

Detectivc-Sergeant Meiklejohn said that on the visit of June 7 to accused's room Mareo read over tlireo letters which he said he found in his wife's elVeets after her death. ''He asked us to take them, as they would show she was a Lesbian," added witness. '"He said he did not know who wrote the letters." There wt:s a suitcase (produced) lying near Marco's bed. Marco said it was the suitcase in which he hid the veronal, tin June 24 witness again saw Mareo at Waterloo Quadrant for the purpose of ascertaining from liirn what common sense his wife spoke on the night of Saturday, April 13. lie then made a statement which Detective Hamilton wrote down. Mareo said this was true and signed it. In this he said lie could not remember what she said. He said she must have said something rational. Mareo's Arrest. The final meeting with Marco was on September 2, the day of his arrest. "Shortly after 2 p.m. Detective Hamilton and I went to Wynyard Street," said witness, "Miss Brownlee' opened the door, and I asked for Mareo. He came forward and we went inside. I

asked Miss Brownlee to leave for a couple of minutes. I. told Marco we wanted to see him for two minutes. Miss Brownlee left. Accused said, 'Have you heard anything?' "I said, 'Yes, we have. I have got something here which I will read to you.' ' "Accused sat down on an armchaii near Hie bed. I pulled out a warrant from my pocket and said, 'I have a warrant here charging you that 1 " on April 15 you did murder Thelma Clarice Mareo.' "This is Ridiculous." "Pie said, 'Heally, on what evidence? This is ridiculous. What evidence have you got?' "Detective Hamilton then gave the accused the usual warning, and I searched him. When we got in *ie room in the first place I saw there was a squall table set for a meal for three. On my looking' at it he said, 'Graham has just been in for a meal and has gone to work.' "On searching accused Mareo said. 'Can I ring up my solicitor, Mr. Aekins?' "I said,' 'Certainly.' "He said, 'We were just going to the pictures.' Mareo asked Miss Brownlee to ring Mr. Aekins and to come and see hhn (accused). He also asked her to tell Graham when he came home. Accused was then taken to the police station and charged." Witness and Detective Hamilton then went to accused's room in Waterloo Quadrant and took possession of his effects. Among them were some effects belonging to Miss Brownlee. She later claimed them in the presence of her solicitor. Among accused's effects were found grocers' and other dockets which had already been referred to in evidence in this rase. A passport found showed that accused was 44 on September 30 last. ' «. Tin's concluded the detective-sergeant's examination. He was asked no questions by counsel for the defence. First Police Visit to House. Detective R. J. Hamilton said he first went to Tenterden Avenue about 0 p.m. on April 15. Graham Mareo was the only one at home, but Miss Stark arrived shortly after 7 p.m. Witness searched deceased's bedroom and described what he found, corroborating the evidence of Detective-Sergeant Meiklejolin. "From what I heard I communicated with the chief detective and about 8 p.m. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn and Detective McLean arrived," said the witness. When Graham Mareo told accused witness was a detective, accused said, "I have had a double whisky and X have a bottle of brandy outside in the car which will make me sleep tonight. I feel like doing myself in." Wit 1 "ss told Mareo not to be silly.

Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.