MAREO MURDER CASE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23813, 5 December 1942, Page 4

MAREO MURDER CASE

PETITION FOR SPECIAL

INQUIRY

PARLIAMENT TAKES NO ACTION

(P.A.)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 4,

The Statutes Revision Committee, reporting to the House of Representatives to-day on several petitions urging reconsideration of the sentence of life imprisonment on Eric Mareo, who was found guilty of the murder of his wife, stated that it had carefully considered all arguments by counsel and found that it had no recommendation to make.

Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga), commenting on the report, said an immense principle was involved as to whether justice had been done or whether it had miscarried. A select committee had to consider the case, because fresh evidence had been brought forward in the nature of a statement by Sir William Willcox, world famous expert in poisons and poisoning cases.

Mr Doidge said he realised importance should be attached to the fact that Mareo had been found guilty twice by separate juries. Juries, he said, were not infallible. It had been proved many times that juries could make mistakes. Mr Doidge suggested the gravest doubt had been raised regarding Mareo’s guilt by the statement by Sir William Willcox, and he asked if a prisoner under those circumstances should remain in gaol for the term of his natural life.

Messrs H. E. Combs (Government, Wellington Suburbs). W. M. C. ‘Denham (Government, Invercargill), and W. P. Endean (Opposition, Remuera), members of the committee, supported the recommendations. Mr Denham said the jury system would be challenged if a special tribunal were set up. Mr Endean said the jury which tried the case was justified in finding that Mareo was the only person who could have administered veronal to Mrs Mareo. Surely, he said, the 12 men who hoard the case were betterable to judge who was telling the truth than Sir William Willcox, who had neither hoard the evidence nor seen the witnesses.

Mr F. W. Schramm (Government, Auckland East). Replying, said Marco had been to every Court he could go to in the country and there was no evidence to justify the appointment of another tribunal. The Crown had done everything possible to assist Mareo. The decision of the committee had been an overwhelming one, only one member disagreeing with the decision on the petition, The country should understand that Mareo had been given every privilege possible to establish his innocence.

The recommendation of the committee was adopted.