MURDER CHARGE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 17

MURDER CHARGE

Accused Committed For Trial WOMAN’S DEATH GW I HENLEY FARM (PRESS ASSOCUJTO* TKTIOTIAK-) DUNEDIN'. June 15. The preliminary hearing of Ifc* charge of murder against Eric SB* dagger Parks, aged 28. which was conkmenced on Monday, was concluded Ib the Magistrate’s Court to-day. when the evidence of 10 further witnesses was taken. The charge arose wit of a tragedy which occurred at the farm of Alexander Smith, near Henley, on the night of April 14. when a married woman, Frances Amelia Lee, wtm WM employed by Smith as a was found dead in bed, with a wound on the head. The accused pleaded not guilty wa reserving his defence, was e»wmftUhvd to the Supreme Court for trial. The Magistrate intimated that he woolg reserve his finding in the inquest mim after the Supreme Court proceediPgß. The inquest proceedings ***** taken concurrently with the cuarge. Mr C. J. L. White, with him Mr J. B. Thomson, appeared for Parka ** the Crown Prosecutor (Mr I. 9* Adams) conducted the the prosecution. Mr J. K. Bartaoaomew, SAL, was on the Bench. _ The mother of Mrs lee. Sett Erickson, said that Mrs lee' was w years old. Parks had visited her heme with Miss Lee. She had_toit Parks on the evening of April H mb* he made inquiries regarding aaa crotr book he had left at her catetefte. Stef did not hear Parks say anything about going to’ Henley. There was BMBBg unusual about his appearance. . Thora Belinda Erickson, a -etfeteM assistant, and daughter of the uttfvi* ous witness, said that die had Imutem Parks for a year, lflns at the Henley farm. She csß3d as say what terms exratedbejwegiPwA* and the dead woman. Parks deBTCiW soft drinks to lie cafeteria W* Ajgfl 14. He appeared quite normal and she saw him at her mother’s hope the same evening. - At this stage witness broke down, and her evidence was suspended.

Broken Engagement

Jessie Morris said that Parks had boarded with her for six months. She had met his fiancee, Prances lee. who had also boarded with her fear three weeks. Parks had told her lint Ml engagement was broken. He was 'very upset, saying: “I can’t do without her. He then went out. returning cheerful, with a remark that the matter was settled. On Parka’s birthday, April 13, he told witness he had a letter again breaking the engagement. “A nice birthday present,” he win. Parks did not .appear so upset as before. He had been ill for He was depressed on Wednesday, but there was not anything mrasoal act the evening of April 14. Parks was quite normal when he came home. Hie changed his clothes and went out, later returning, when be said, he coußd net get a hired car but had obtained alight truck and was going away. Parks bad previously told her he Intended going to visit Ms mother ait Port Molyneuz. He seemed la a bony and a little excited. Witness did net hear him return, hut when ,die came out of her bedroom in die morning she smelt gas, but thought it was lost an escape from a gas zin& She went to bed again for a couple of hoars, after which her daughter said something about gas. She went upstairs; knocking on the door of Farkds room orlQ*out response. Later die braise dwelt the door and opened a window. The room was filled with gas with two burners turned on. Cross-examined by Paries’s eouimdl (Mr White), witness said: *Thave nothing to say against the accused. Hfc was' always a very decent daftT. Journey in Track William Robert Ofee, company manager, said that he had knoea fla accused for 16 years. On April 14 Parks asked for the use of a one Jar the night to go to his home at Pact Molyneux. There was none available and Parks agreed to take a truck. The speedometer, then showed 159 miles. Parks mentioned that he wonld want the buck till 11 the next awmtog, There was nothing . unusual In Ms actions 'or speech. When the trade was returned the speedometer showed 202 miles or a 47-mile run. There was fine loose day on the seat next the driver’s, but no sign of Mood. To Mr White the witness said that Parks chose a truck with a calk vying it would be warm for a girl daring a drive to Port Molyneux. Walter Hemsley, a cordial manufacturer, brother-in-law of Parks, said that he had noticed nothing peculiar about the accused’s demeanour during the last two or three weeks he had been working. To Mr White the witness said Jhat he. had several times visited the accused when the latter was In hospital subsequent to April R The accused bad been seriously in for nine weeks. WELLINGTON CASE HEARING TO BEGIN ON JUNE 30 1 . cpbess Assocuxnnr toiwus.) WELLINGTON, June 15. The lower Court hearing of the charge of murder against Douglas Alexander Armstrong is to begin on June 30. A remand to that date was made to-day with the consent of the accused.