MURDER CHARGE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 1 April 1930, Page 6

MURDER CHARGE.

ALLEGED WIPEPOISONING. MUNN BEFORE COURT. [THE PBESB Special Service.l AUCKLAND, March 31. Arthur Thomas Munn, aged 45, of Northcote, was charged before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., with murdering his wife, Lillie May Munn, on February 11th at Northcote. The hearing will bo lengthy as there are thirty witnesses.

Mrs Munn, who was 43 years of age, died at her home on tho morning of February 11th. Dr. Dudding was called to attend her on February 4th, after she had suddenly been taken ill, while preparing breakfast for the household, which included her husband and two daughters, aged nine and five years respectively Dr. Dudding refused to give a certificate of death and reported the matter to the police. A post mortem examination of the body was carried out, and as a result the present charge was preferred. Mr V. E. Meredith (Crown Solicitor) prosecuted, and Mr E. P. Northcroft appeared for the accused. Mrs Sarah Campbell, of Wellington, mother of Mrs Munn. stated in evidence that her daughter first married W. Westerby, in November, 1917. Westerby went to the war and died ot pneumonia in England There were no children of tho marriage. On March 12tb, 1920, her daughter married accused at Greytown. A little time later they removed to Northcote. There were two children of the marriage, girls, aged five and nine. Mrs Munn corresponded with witness regularly every week.

In the last letter, dated February 9th, she wrote: "I can only write a note to you lying in bed. I canle over very queer on Tuesday morning. Arthur got a doctor, and ho was here a long timo. Ho stuck a needle in my arm and took away some blood to test. 1 think it is blood pressure and nervous trouble. Arthur is just goodness itself, Mum. Ho is looking ater me well- Don't worry: I'm getting well." Witness said that her daughter had £IOO when she married Munn. Witness understood that she afterward* out it into tho house at Northcote. Witness said that her daughter had. a loving disposition. She was cheerful and bright, and not at all despondent. Dorothy Ida Munn, Mavis Leonie Munn, and Oliver Arthur Herbert Munn, children of accused by his first •wife, gave evidence regarding the conduct of Munn towards their stepmother. Eobort Rowan Bell, solicitor, said that he had received a letter from Mrs Munn on December 24th last, instructing him to make her will, and leave' everything to Munn. Tho will waß signed on January 15th, with Munn as the sole legatee. An advertising clerk in the "Auckland Star" Office gave evidence that in October, 1929, a matrimonial advertisement was handed to her over the counter by a man. The words "view to matrimony" were not in it, but the man; at her request, wrote in those words. The advertisement was published as follows:—"Gent, 40, lonely, wishes to meet a companionable woman, without means preferable. View to matrimony. Write H 6218, 'Star.' " hha had asked the man to sign his name on the back of the advertisement. The name signed on the back was "Munn, Northcote." Georgina Albert Emily Stuck, a widow, said she answered the advertisement and received a reply from "Albert Thomas" making an appointment. When they met ehe recognised him as Munn, having met him at the Chrietchurch exhibition. Knowing that he was married, she said, "This cannot fo on." Accused replied that his wife ad lost interest in the home. He said he only wanted a friend and they became friendly. After his wife died she agreed to keep house for him. He had asked her to marry him, but she replied that she would like to wait as her previous marriage had not been successful.

Lydia Gill, who had a flat under Munn's house, said she used the same yard as Mrs Munn. On February 4th, one of the little girls asked her to go up to her mother. She found Mrs Munn reclining in a chair twitching and drawing her leg 6 up. Her mouth was parchecTand twitching and her eyes were half closed. Mrs asked witness if she knew what was tne matter and whether witness had seen anyone like that before. Witness said she had not. When Munn returned witness asked him what was the matter. He said he did not know, but had summoned a doctor. Mrs Munn was of a bright disposition and. adored her husband and children.

The case was adjourned until tomorrow. » .