MORGAN DIVORCE CASE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 15

MORGAN DIVORCE CASE

_—* EVIDENCE CONCLUDED JUDGE TO SUM UP TO-DAY (TOE6B ASSOCIATION TELEGIAU.) WELLINGTON, November 12. The case in which Edward Morgan, Olympic Games champion boxer, is petitioner in a defended divorce action was continued to-day. The respondent, formerly Norma Wilson, the Olympic Games runner, gave evidence that her husband saw her again at the Napier races. He said he had met her father and showed him the paper she had signed and said he had asked her father not to take her back home. "He accused me of all the things on the paper," said witness, "but I denied them." He then had said, "How about forgetting all about it and coming back." She declined. Her father said: "If you are like this now, how will it be like in a few years' time?" She told her mother what had happened and then saw a solicitor. Proceedings for separation and maintenance were taken by witness, who alleged cruelty. After these proceedings terminated divorce papers were served on her at Gisborne. Jack Alexander Thomas, of Hastings, gave evidence that Mrs Morgan had stayed the night at his place, where Marsh was boarding. She slept with witness's wife and witness slept in Marsh's room with Marsh. The co-respondent, Marsh, in evidence, said he first met Morgan on the Hastings railway station. The first thing Morgan said was, "Do you want to marry this girl?" Witness took it as a joke and said, "Oh, I wouldn't mind." Morgan produced a pen and papers which he asked him to sign. He refused, and Morgan said, "Won't you?" and hit him. His Honour: We have had two versions. What did he do? Witness: He punched me on the side of the jaw. Mrs Morgan said, "Don't make a scene here," and one of them said, "We will get on the station." Morgan got me bailed in a corner and asked me to sign. I refused. Both convinced me that they had been to a lawyer in Wellington and wanted to divorce one another. I didn't want to sign, and Morgan said, "If you don't sign, you won't be alive to tell the tale." Mr Mazengarb: What is your weight? Witness: About 7-7. He said Morgan was parading before him, and more to get away from him than anything else he signed the papers. Mr Arndt: You want us to believe that Morgan punched you? Witness: Yes, I do. You want us to believe you were punched on the jaw by a man whom your counsel describes as the champion welter-weight of the world?— I felt like that, anyhow. (Laughter.) His Honour: Have you and Mrs Morgan ever discussed the question of her getting a divorce and marrying you? Witness: No. Has there ever been any, shall I say, sweet-hearting between you?— No. His Honour will su*m up to-morrow morning.