CHARRED BODY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1942, Page 9

CHARRED BODY

MURDER CHARGE MAN AND WOMAN IN DOCK (0.C.) SYDNEY, February 25. When a man and woman were charged in Grafton Supreme Court on Monday with murder, their trial had to be adjourned because the woman collapsed. When the first witness was called she began to sob, and leaned on her fellow accused's shoulder. Suddenly she fainted. The accused were Cecil Raymond Ellem, 21, and Constance Olga Davison, 24. They were charged with the murder of Stanley Edward Bartlett, 54, near Grafton, on October 28.

Appearing for the Crown, Mr. Crawford, K.C., said the charred remains of a human male, believed to be Bartlett, had been discovered near Grafton. Evidence would be given that both accused had made statements admitting they had burned Bartlett's body. Bartlett's wife would say that a watch-chain and ring found in the remains of the fire had belonged to her husband

It will be shown that Bartlett associated with the two accused and worked with Ellem in cutting timber," Mr. Crawford said.: "Police found in Ellem's possession a suitcase, a blanket, and a shirt belonging to Bartlett which had been taken from his hut. The burning of the body was carefully done, as a deliberate attempt to obliterate all signs of death."

Mr. Crawford said the Crown contended there was a dispute about money, and the motive for the killine was personal gain. He added: '-'Mrs Davisons divorce case, in which Kllem was co-respondent, was heard in Grafton on November 11. Fees ° f . th s suit had to be paid. They had both hved together at a boardinghouse, where their expenses had to be met.

«7i'T h J? r f I s evidenc e that Ellem wished to borrow £25 on November n'n pay w me s for cu «ing timber. On November 8 and 9 Ellem squared his boardinghouse account. Ellem, at the time said he had won £80 at t&lmom* 5 - ~E l! tm also collected after pfiei i^ d n ath ., money due to Ellem and Bartlett for timber." Evidence was given alleging that Bartlett and Ellem had fought over their relations with Mrs. Davison with whom Bartlett was alleged td have confessed that he had been intimate. Ellem was said to have toW one witness that he had "ham mered" Bartlett because he wouTd not leave "his woman" alone The trial is proceeding. ne